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Aquaculture Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Ceisteanna (557)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

557. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the recent round of public consultation on aquaculture licensing reforms and new procedures to be introduced; when he will be in a position to bring forward a new system and procedures of application; if he will provide a report into the ad hoc committee that was working on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6951/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Applications for aquaculture 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. Application forms and application guidelines and procedures are available on my Department’s website at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie.

The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. This public consultation is in respect of individual applications. My Department is not at present engaged in wider or more general public consultation on licensing matters.

The Deputy will be aware that in December 2016 I announced the appointment of an independent Aquaculture Licensing Review Group to review the process of licensing for aquaculture and its associated legal framework. The report of the Licensing Review Group was submitted to my Department in May 2017.

The core recommendation of the Licensing Review Group was to eliminate the Aquaculture Licensing backlog. In response my Department has undertaken a two year project to eliminate the shellfish licensing backlog. I can confirm that a target of 300 licence determinations during 2018 was achieved two months ahead of schedule. My Department is committed to achieving a further 300 licence determinations in 2019. This will effectively eliminate the shellfish licensing backlog as an issue affecting the industry.

My Department’s response to the report of the Aquaculture Licensing Review Group was discussed at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 23rd October 2018. At the meeting I explained why the elimination of the shellfish licensing backlog needs to be the core priority for my Department at present.

The elimination of the shellfish licensing backlog will be a game changer for the industry and will provide the solid footing for the industry long demanded by industry representatives.

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