Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2017
241. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 540 and 541 of 9 May 2017, if the review group will examine the conflict of interest at the centre of his Department's licensing system in view of the fact that his department's sea fisheries policy and management division is responsible for the governance of ALAB thus compromising the real and perceived independence of that body. [25191/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea Food Policy and Management Division has a range of responsibilities involving sea fisheries policy and management, corporate governance of marine State agencies and implementation of Departmental responsibilities in harnessing our ocean wealth. That Division has responsibility for corporate governance of Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board involving oversight of that body in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016.
Responsibility for aquaculture policy and the independent review group for aquaculture licensing is with the Marine Programmes Division.
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. As stated on 9 May 2017, I am satisfied that the Group's terms of reference provide the Group with appropriate scope to address issues arising with the licensing system.
