Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018
458. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will cease the licensing of shellfish production on Braade Strand, County Donegal, pending the outcome of appeals against licences he approved for the area that are under consideration by the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board. [3248/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for aquaculture licences, including the renewal of licences, are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The legislation requires that valid applications for new licences or the renewal of existing licences must be processed.
In accordance with standard practice, my Department has been notified by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) that the Board has received appeals against decisions to grant aquaculture licences for the cultivation of oysters on Braade Strand, Co. Donegal.
ALAB is an independent statutory body established for the purpose of determining appeals against aquaculture licensing decisions. As the Board is currently considering the appeals in question as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter pending the conclusion of that process.
