Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2019
143. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will conduct an investigation into the reason it took the licensing division of his Department three years to conclude its investigation into licence breaches by a company (details supplied) at its salmon farm site. [21185/19]
View answer144. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the delay by his Department in investigating licence breaches by salmon farmers demonstrates that, in practical terms, the industry is virtually unregulated. [21186/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
The case referred to by the Deputy was examined by my Department as expeditiously as possible having regard to the scientific, technical, legal and public interest issues involved.
Aquaculture Licensing is regulated by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act (where applicable) and relevant National and EU legislation.
Monitoring and compliance issues associated with aquaculture are proactively examined by my Department having regard to the specific issues that arise in each case.
