Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department is refusing licences as the employment is of vital importance to a locality and community (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19013/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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 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, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB).

Decisions in respect of the aquaculture licence applications in Castlemaine Harbour referred to by the Deputy were made in 2018. ALAB has now notified my Department that it has confirmed the decisions to refuse to grant the licences.

ALAB is an independent Statutory Body established for the purpose of determining appeals against aquaculture licensing decisions; queries in respect of ALAB decisions are a matter for ALAB who can be contacted at info@alab.ie.