Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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311. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 10 March 2015, the experts from whom he is seeking the very detailed scientific and environmental advice on the Galway Bay licence application; the way this advice will relate to advice from the Marine Institute on the application; and if the advice sought relates only to the Galway Bay application. [14917/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy has been advised the specific aquaculture licence application from Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for the cultivation of finfish in Galway Bay is under active consideration by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The assessment process reflects the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of the application.

The main scientific input to my Department’s assessment of the application is provided, in the normal way, by the Marine Institute and other relevant Statutory Consultees. The assessment process will, of course, also take into account relevant scientific and environmental inputs received as part of the public consultation stage of the process.

As the application is under active consideration by my Department as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on it at this time.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 291 of 10 March 2015, how the way in which he and his Department act as aquaculture licence regulators and decision makers for the Shot Head licence application could be in any way deemed transparent and independent, in view of the detailed contacts that his Department has had with the applicant company. [14918/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy has already been advised, Marine Harvest Ireland has submitted an application to my Department for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish at Shot Head, Bantry Bay. All marine aquaculture licence applications are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The legislation provides for a period of both statutory and general public consultation on each application received.

There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.

In the normal course of official business, my officials and I meet with representatives of the aquaculture industry and individual companies on an ongoing basis to discuss licensing and industry development issues.

These interactions with industry do not conflict with my role or the role of my Department in relation to licensing, which is set out in legislation.