Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with his counterpart in the Northern Executive to ensure that all aquaculture activity on the shores of Carlingford Lough is licensed and regulated by the Lough’s Agency. [25736/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC). This body is one of the six North South Implementation Bodies created under the Agreement. The Loughs Agency, as part of the FCILC, has been given responsibility for fisheries related matters in respect of both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and the legislation envisages that the Agency will enter into a management agreement with the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions with a view to assuming responsibility for aquaculture licensing within the loughs.

In the case of Carlingford Lough, aquaculture licensing on the southern side of the median line is the responsibility of my Department in accordance with the applicable national and EU legislation. The authorities in Northern Ireland have responsibility for aquaculture on the northern side of the median line.

Pending the resolution of the outstanding jurisdictional issues my Department will continue to have responsibility for aquaculture licensing on the southern side of the median line in Carlingford Lough.

Ministerial decisions have been made in respect of a number of Aquaculture Licensing applications for Carlingford Lough and every effort is being made to expedite the remaining applications in the Lough having regard to all the legal and technical complexities involved.