Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and, in the case of marine aquaculture, the Foreshore Act 1933. The assessment process takes full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and reflects the full scientific, environmental, legal, public policy and engineering aspects of each application, including the specific production system proposed in each case.

On recent licensing decisions, my Department received a number of new aquaculture applications which relate to the cultivation of pacific oysters on Braade Strand, Gweedore Bay. These applications were considered by my Department in accordance with the applicable legislation which includes a period of statutory and general public consultation.

In the case of shellfish cultivation, an environmental impact statement is required if it is considered that the proposed aquaculture is likely to have significant effects on the environment. To facilitate this, my Department has established a screening group of officials drawn from my Department, the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to advise on the environmental issues relating to each application by reference to national and EU environmental requirements. This procedure is adhered to fully in respect of all applicable licence applications. It was determined that an environmental impact statement was not required in the case of the applications in question and the reason for my decision on this aspect of the applications is published on my Department’s website.

A public notice in respect of the public consultation phase of the licensing process was placed in theDonegal Democratand the details of the applications were available for scrutiny by the public at specific Garda stations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Details of applications were also available on my Department’s website during the public consultation phase.

Following consideration of all aspects of the applications by my Department, it was determined that licences should be granted. A public notice of the decisions was published in the Donegal Democratin December 2016 and the reasons for them are set out on my Department’s website.

The legislation governing aquaculture licensing also provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, ALAB, which is an independent statutory body. My Department understands that the board is in receipt of a number of appeals in respect of these licence decisions. As appeals are considered by the ALAB as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

My Department is also considering a number of new licence applications and also applications for renewal of existing licences in this area. In some of these cases, the public consultation period is now closed. In all cases, a licence determination will only be made following consideration of the environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each case. As my Department’s examination of these cases is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on these cases.

The Deputy may be aware that I have established an independent aquaculture licensing review group which is currently holding a public consultation to invite submissions on matters relevant to the review. This public consultation will remain open until 10 February and I encourage all stakeholders to engage in the process and make submissions to support the group in its work.

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