Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a list of aquaculture licences issued for shellfish production outside areas designated for aquaculture in the past five years. [28444/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 governs the licensing of aquaculture within the State. Under the terms of the Act a person may, in accordance with the application regulations, apply to the Minister for an aquaculture licence or trial licence. There are no provisions in the Act for the designation of areas for aquaculture purposes.

Since 1 July 2003 the Department has issued 111 aquaculture licences for shellfish production. This figure does not included licences renewed or assigned. As required under the 1997 Act the Department maintains a public register of all licences. I am arranging for a list of the licences in question to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.