Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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3400. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately commence section 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. [40175/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 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.

The average timeframe for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors, including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of proposed sites, visual impact, etc. Other factors include consideration of any submissions or observations received during the public consultation period.

Section 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 sets down timeframes within which the Minister shall endeavour to determine an application for an aquaculture licence. However, in the absence of a commencement order, there is no statutory timeframe in force for the determination of applications for aquaculture licences under the Act. The commencement of Section 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 is, however, a matter which is kept under ongoing review and is informed inter alia, by the need to comply fully with both national and EU requirements in relation to environmental legislation.