Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016
519. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an environmental impact assessment is not required for shellfish farming aquaculture licence approval within a special area of conservation, SAC, when it is required for approval of a fin fish farming licence within an SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29531/16]
View answerUnder the provisions of Statutory Instrument No. 236/1998 Aquaculture (Licence Application) Regulations 1998, as amended, Environmental Impact Statements are mandatory in respect of finfish cultivation in the marine environment. Certain exceptions apply for trial or research purposes.
In the case of shellfish cultivation an Environmental Impact Statement is required if the Minister considers that the proposed aquaculture is likely to have significant effects on the environment. To facilitate this, a Screening Group of Officials from the Department, the Marine Institute and BIM is convened for the purpose of screening shellfish aquaculture licence applications.
Ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are made following consideration of all the relevant information, including, but not limited to, the recommendations of the Screening Group.
