John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a land-based aquaculture licence by a company (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; the reason a licence has not been issued to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27317/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department considers applications for land based aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and applicable 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.

The Statutory and Public Consultation phase in respect of the application referred to by the Deputy has concluded. Consideration of the application by my Department is ongoing and every effort is being made to expedite a determination in respect of the application having regard to the complexities involved.

As this licence application is under active consideration as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.