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Departmental Correspondence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 January 2014

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Questions (290)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

290. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2124/14]

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Written answers

The Deputy is referring to representations made on behalf of residents local to Lough Foyle expressing concern about alleged escalation of oyster farming in the area and correspondence from the Loughs Agency in that regard. My Department is working other relevant Departments and agencies towards the conclusion of a management agreement for both the Foyle and Carlingford areas in order to facilitate the acquisition by the Loughs Agency of aquaculture licensing functions for these Loughs. The Deputy will appreciate that this is a complex task requiring the participation of a number of stakeholders.

My Department is in the process of organising a meeting of senior officials from a number of lead Departments involved, during the first quarter of 2014. The purpose of this meeting will be to arrive at an agreed way forward in terms of the future management of activities on Lough Foyle while pursuing a parallel workable resolution to the complex jurisdictional issues involved.

Due to the legal and jurisdictional complexities involved and the necessity for the involvement of a number of agencies, including the Crown Estates, it is not possible at this stage to give final timeframes for the resolution of this matter.

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