Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1694. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the implementation of the recommendations set out in the report of the independent aquaculture licensing review group which examines the process of licensing for aquaculture. [28468/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I received the Report of the independent Aquaculture Licensing Review Group on 31^stMay 2017. This Group was tasked with making recommendations to improve the existing licensing system and to undertake steps to review the legislative framework having regard to Government policy for the sustainable development of aquaculture, as outlined in Food Wise 2025 and the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development.

The Review Group carried out a detailed examination of the existing aquaculture licensing process, undertook comprehensive stakeholder consultation and looked at comparative national and international consent systems to determine best practice for managing a complex licensing process in a transparent, environmentally appropriate and legally robust manner.

The Group’s Report is published and available to view on Fishingnet.ie, the Government’s Commercial Sea Fishing Network Portal. The overarching conclusion of the Report is for a root-and-branch reform of the aquaculture licence application processes to take place with a focus on both short-term immediate actions as well as longer term initiatives. There are a total of 30 recommendations in the Report.

My Department is currently considering the Report’s recommendations. This work is regarded as high priority and implementation of recommendations of the Report will commence as soon as possible.