Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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881. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department on 7 December 2017 issued an aquaculture licence (details supplied) when it has been established under FOI legislation that no appropriate assessment screening as required under the EU Habitats Directive was conducted by either Inland Fisheries Ireland or a third party to evaluate any potential impacts on the integrity of a site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6516/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment to which the Deputy is referring to was issued with a licence on the 7^thof December 2017.

Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and 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 independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board.

The license in question will fall for renewal in 2027. In advance of renewal of the licence the application will be subject to the appropriate environmental considerations including conducting an Appropriate Assessment.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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882. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department in the past five calendar years has never issued an aquaculture licence for the operation of trout hatchery in County Galway when the hatchery is listed as an aquaculture establishment on the Marine Institute’s Fin Fish FHA Register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6517/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Marine Institute are the Competent Authority for Fish Health in Ireland and the maintenance of the Register of Aquaculture Establishments to which the Deputy refers.

The site in question is one of the oldest in the country and was established in 1851. The Deputy's question regarding the licencing of the site is more appropriately directed to Inland Fisheries Ireland whose principal function is to protect, manage and conserve Ireland's inland fisheries.