Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Creed expressed concern about warfare between Departments.

Deputy Sheahan referred to aquaculture and to the operational programme. A number of issues need to be resolved following the European Court of Justice's adverse finding against Ireland at the end of 2007. The subsequent issuing of a reasoned opinion brought us even closer to being fined. The Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have put together a roadmap for dealing with all of these issues. Significant resources - time, personnel and money - have been made available to compile the necessary documentation. It takes time to gather such material in any event, but it is being done as quickly as possible in this instance.

A number of people, who will deal with foreshore licensing in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, have been trained in recent times. When they are in place, the staff who are currently in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be able to concentrate all their time and energy on applications like those mentioned by Deputy Sheahan. They will also deal with aquaculture, fishing harbours and fisheries matters. The same staff will be in place, but they will have a much narrower focus.

Deputy Sheahan also asked about foreshore licences for emergency works, which will continue to be a matter for the Office of Public Works. I remind him that the Loughs Agency has jurisdiction over Lough Foyle. Some work in that regard is being done by the Department of Foreign Affairs. As far as I can establish, the Department is not currently aware of any cases of illegal dumping at sea.

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