Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average waiting period for persons seeking a licence for aquaculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4887/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, as amended, governs the granting, renewal, amendment or revocation of aquaculture licences.

In considering an application for an aquaculture licence, including an application to renew an aquaculture licence, the licensing authority must consider:

the potential impacts on safety and navigation,

the ecological impacts on wild fisheries, natural habitats, flora and fauna,

the suitability of the waters,

the other beneficial uses of the place or waters,

the likely effects on the economy of the area, and

the statutory status under European legal frameworks of the area under application.

This process involves consultation with a range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various statutory consultees.

Applications are also subject to public consultation whereby any interested person or body may make submissions or observations on any licence application.

The process also involves publication of Ministerial decisions on applications and allowing a one month period for appeal of any decision. Any such appeal must then be considered by the independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board.

The timeframe for reaching a determination in respect of applications will vary depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, culture method, statutory status of sites, potential visual impact, access route and frequency of access to sites, other activities in the area etc. This does not include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period.

In the circumstances it is not possible to indicate a specific timeframe for the processing of such applications.