Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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427. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accord Inland Fisheries Ireland a formal role in the licensing of salmon farms to ensure a proper balance in the process of decision making following the publication of the review of aquaculture licensing. [40386/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with all applicable national and EU legislation.  The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors as well as various statutory consultees.  The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.  In addition, my Department, must adhere to a wide range of regulatory requirements and other legislation which impact on the licensing process.

As a statutory consultee Inland Fisheries Ireland is already accorded a formal role in respect of the licensing process.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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428. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accord Inland Fisheries Ireland a formal role in his Department's sea lice control system in view of the damage to wild salmon stocks from sea lice infestation on salmon farms. [40387/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State. These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:

- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.

- Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely available.

- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.

The sea lice monitoring and control programme in Ireland has been acknowledged by the Environment Directorate (DG Environment) of the EU Commission as representing international best practice and, accordingly, changing the current arrangement would not be warranted or appropriate.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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429. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if hydrogen peroxide has been used in the treatment of farmed fish for sea lice control purposes here; and if those fish have been put into the market as organic. [40388/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Hydrogen peroxide is authorised for use as a treatment for the control of sea-lice in farmed fish. It can also be used in organic production of farmed fish, under very strict conditions, and does not affect the designation of such product as organic.