Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

787. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the independent review group to look into the entire area of aquaculture licensing will be established, take submissions and report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26687/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland’s first National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development was published by my Department in December 2015.  That Plan proposes 24 actions to drive the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector and sustainably grow production in the sector by 45,000 tonnes.

Action number 22 of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development commits my Department to a review and revision of the aquaculture licence process, including the applicable legal framework.  This Review is echoed by the recommendations of FoodWise 2025.

Aquaculture licences are determined by my Department having regard to the requirements of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Acts 1993-2011, the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, the Aarhus Convention, requirements relating to underwater archaeology and certain other regulatory requirements.

Thus, the process around aquaculture licensing is extremely complex and demanding.  Nevertheless, my Department made 104 aquaculture licence determinations in 2015, some 53 licence determinations have been made so far this year and in the order of 150 determinations are expected for the year as a whole.

The National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development recognised the complexity of the present process and related legal framework.  It committed to a review of the licensing process, including the legal framework.  I am presently considering this commitment and the many other actions proposed in the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development and expect to progress the issue in 2016.