Aquaculture Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Ceisteanna (460)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

460. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 688 of 7 March 2017, if the objective bias in his Department's aquaculture licensing system, in view of his Department's failure to maintain an appropriate separation between the regulatory function and the industry development function, has rendered all licences issued under this system invalid. [15001/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and related legislation.

There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of aquaculture licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.