Pa Daly
Ceist:6. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence appeals currently pending in his Department. [38314/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 July 2021
Ceisteanna (6)
Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire mar gheall ar the aquaculture licences, and to ask him how many licence appeals are currently pending in the Department. Last year there was an issue with applications from Castlemaine Harbour, between Cromane Point and the town of Killorglin. Some applications had been languishing in the Department for up to four years. What plans are in place to perhaps review the whole situation in that area?
I thank Deputy Daly for his question. The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, ALAB, is an independent body established by statute for the purpose of considering appeals of ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications. The situation in respect of the number of appeals pending is an operational matter and one on which the board can respond directly to the Deputy. We will ensure that the Deputy is provided with the relevant information from ALAB.
There has been a challenge in recent years in relation to a backlog of licensing appeals within the Department in particular. That backlog then started to impact on the number of appeals that were forthcoming to ALAB. Significant work has been under way over the past number of years to get on top of that licensing situation and the backlog in terms of making licence decisions within the Department. Thankfully, it has now been addressed and we are in a situation whereby applications are being dealt with in a timely fashion as they are received. That is most important in relation to providing certainty to those who make applications. There has also been a significant issue in recent years where, as a result of the need for a different approach to licensing and for appropriate assessments to be completed on many of our bays, many of the licences had expired and applicants were given temporary licences, pending full consideration of the licence application. Thankfully, licences are being issued in a prompt fashion now.
The Department resources ALAB. It is an issue on which I have engaged with ALAB. We are willing to resource ALAB further to ensure that it is in a position to deal with the applications it has received. It is important that decisions are made and responses are given within a reasonable timeframe, right through the system, in respect of both initial decisions and appeals.
The Minister mentioned providing clarity. In respect of the area that I spoke about between Cromane Point and Killorglin, we all saw the devastation that was wrought on the tourism industry last year and this year. Given that industry is in such a precarious position, the aquaculture jobs are essential to the area. They provide supplementary income and part-time income to many small farmers and local people, many of whom have been farming oysters for generations. When many of the people made their applications, there seemed to be a blanket ban or a blanket refusal to grant applications in that particular area. Some of the information relied on in the decision-making was a report that dates back some years. I ask the Minister to consider committing to producing an updated independent ecological report for that area in order that clarity can be provided. If there is no point in applying for the licences, it should be made clear to applicants. If there is a chance, given the jobs are essential, I ask the Minister commit to the publication of a report for the applicants.
It is not appropriate for me to get involved or to comment on decisions that are currently with ALAB, specifically. ALAB operates statutorily separately from the Department and has to be given the opportunity to fulfil its statutory obligations to assess any appeals. I understand that there are appeals in respect of the applications and the areas to which the Deputy referred.
On a broader note, I must emphasise the importance and dedication of the Department in ensuring there is a timely approach to ensuring that licences are issued when applications are received and that the resourcing and supporting of ALAB is appropriate for it to fulfil the responsibilities on it.
I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I am aware of his commitment to ensuring an effective licensing system. I am also aware of the importance of the aquaculture sector to his county, just as I am aware of its importance to mine.
I thank the Minister for the reply. He is aware of another area of Kerry, around Renard Point, where applications were made for oyster licences. That process was abandoned last year for various reasons but I believe it is up and running again. Is the Minister aware of whether there have been difficulties with notification in respect of licensing applications in the Renard area? Some local people who have expressed an interest in the special area of conservation have been inquiring whether the difficulties that arose last year regarding the submission of applications have been arising since the application process was reopened.
I thank the Deputy. I do not have the details on the application in question or the notifications associated with it because those details were not encompassed by the initial question. I will, however, have a note sent to the Deputy outlining the current position.