Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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179. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter (details supplied) regarding oyster applications in County Kerry will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25978/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory and Public Consultation phase in respect of the applications referred to by the Deputy is now underway. The Public Notice in each case will advise that members of the public may make observations in respect of the application in question within a fixed period of time from the date of publication of the Notice. As the applications in question are under active consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter pending completion of the licensing process.