Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
971. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been put in place for the proposed mussel farm in Kinsale, County Cork; his views on the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13185/19]
View answer984. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a shellfish licence application for a mussel farm off Kinsale Harbour, County Cork (details supplied); if the concerns of local residents, clubs and organisations will be taken into account with regard to the scale of the mussel farm in question and its associated impact; if the objections submitted with regard to this application for reasons outlined will be considered; and when a final decision will be made on the application. [13687/19]
View answer1000. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a shellfish licence application by a company (details supplied) for a mussel farm off Kinsale Harbour, County Cork; if the concerns of local residents, clubs and organisations will be taken into account with regard to the scale of the mussel farm and the associated impact of the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14074/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 971, 984 and 1000 together.
Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and (in the case of marine aquaculture) the 1933 Foreshore Act. The assessment process takes full account of all National and EU legislative requirements and reflects the full scientific, environmental, legal, public policy and engineering aspects of each application. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation which has now concluded in this case.
As the licence application is currently under active consideration by my Department as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
