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Aquaculture Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Ceisteanna (285)

Seamus Kirk

Ceist:

285. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish an independent body to review and adjudicate on aquaculture licensing and the cost of this. [46309/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Food wise 2025 recommends that I commission an independent review of the existing aquaculture licensing system involving all key stakeholders, to identify the current shortcomings and bottlenecks (legislative, resource and logistical), to report by early 2016 and implement necessary changes to the aquaculture licensing system as a matter of priority.

Separately, my Department is presently making arrangements to publish a National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development. I consulted with stakeholders on a draft of the Plan earlier this year. Action number 22 of that Plan commits my Department to a review and revision of the aquaculture licence process, including the applicable legal framework.

I expect to initiate the proposed review of the aquaculture licensing system early in the new year and to report in the first half of 2016.

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