Written answers

Tuesday, 21 May 2019

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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673. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide a copy of the notice that was placed in a national newspaper regarding a licence that was issued to a company (details supplied) to harvest seaweed; if this licence included a permission to mechanically harvest; the area size that is licensed for harvesting by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21965/19]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has published extensive information and documentation pertaining to the application concerned, including the information sought.  This information is available for viewing on the Department's website at the following link:

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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674. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an environmental impact assessment must be undertaken as part of the application for licence and-or prior to commencement of harvesting upon licence being granted in the context of large scale mechanical harvesting of seaweed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21977/19]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU applies to a wide range of projects – the annexes to this Directive specify what types of projects are mandatory vs. discretionary, in terms of the requirement to conduct an EIA.  In the area of seaweed harvesting projects, it is not a mandatory requirement to conduct an EIA.

The decision as to whether an EIA is required is made through the "screening procedure".  The procedural process, with information on the screening procedure and EIA, is available on my Department's website at .

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