Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
541. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 460 of 28 March 2017, if he will extend the terms of reference for the review of aquaculture licensing to include an examination of the conflict of interest built into his Department's aquaculture licensing system and to the appeals system in order to respond to public concerns on this matter. [21639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aquaculture licensing system as currently constituted provides an appeals process through the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board. The function of the Board is to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions made by me on aquaculture licence applications. As provided for under Section 23 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, the Board consists of a Chairman and six other members.
The terms of reference of the independent review group for aquaculture licensing were published in December 2016 and I anticipate receipt of the group's report in the coming weeks. I am satisfied that the Group's terms of reference provide the Group with appropriate scope to address issues arising with the licensing system.
