Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3404. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he is making to speed up the decision-making process in relation to aquaculture licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40378/21]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors, as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The licensing process is complex and the average time for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites and potential visual impact. My Department takes full account of all scientific and technical advice as well as all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Additional factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the need for an Appropriate Assessment if the application is within a Natura 2000 area; whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Assessment Report; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments, etc.
All decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, technical, legislative and public interest elements of each application.
