Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1033. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the difference between the shellfish licence and the mussel licence; the status of licences for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12776/24]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable National and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and 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 species of either aquatic plant or shellfish that an applicant seeks to cultivate is supplied by the applicant on their application form. If following the granting of a licence, the licence holder wishes to apply to change the species on their licence, that application will need to be fully assessed in line with the aforementioned legislation.
The 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 also takes full account of all scientific and technical advice, in addition to all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Further factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the requirement for an Appropriate Assessment and whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period, etc.
Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application.
