Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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386. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter in relation to offshore fish farms (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5090/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act, as amended and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory Consultation phase has recently concluded, and the Public Consultation phase is currently ongoing in respect of the application referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy may wish to make a submission as part of that consultation process, the full details of which are publicly available on my Departments' websitegov.ie- Aquaculture and Foreshore Applications and Licences (www.gov.ie) . 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.