John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Aquacultural licence fees are calculated differently in the two jurisdictions. In this jurisdiction the same Minister has responsibility for licensing aquaculture and the foreshore. The bulk of the fees are levied through the aquacultural licence, having regard to the productivity of the licensed site. In Northern Ireland the bulk of the licence fees relate to the foreshore and are levied by the Crown Estates Commission. In terms of aquaculture operating in Lough Foyle, it has been agreed that the fees in respect of the foreshore will be shared between the Crown Estates Commission and my Department. The scale of the fees is the subject of ongoing negotiations between my Department and the Crown Estates Commission. It is intended that as far as possible the fees applicable to Lough Foyle should be consistent with the fees applicable in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Fees in respect of fishing licences are calculated by the Loughs Agency, having due regard for the existing policy in the two jurisdictions. Any regulation that the agency may make in respect of fees will have to be approved by the North-South Ministerial Council. Deputies will appreciate that as this is a North-South Body, it is not possible to index its fees to those applicable in Ireland. Any decision relating to the North-South Bodies must be agreed jointly. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to make this type of amendment.

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