Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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505. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an aquaculture licence application in respect of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4736/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department considers applications for aquaculture and foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (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. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.

All aquaculture licence applications, including the application referred to by the Deputy, must be both technically accessed and screened for an Appropriate Assessment. The Department’s Marine Engineering Division will report on technical matters and the Marine Institute, as the scientific advisors to the Department, have been requested to undertake the Appropriate Assessment.

With respect to the aforementioned site visit in February 2024, officials from my Department, in response to email correspondence from the applicant, replied to them on the 18th October 2024. In this correspondence, the Department advised that the February 2024 site visit was to ensure that the site was clear of unauthorised aquaculture structures.

When the Appropriate Assessment screening report is received from the Marine Institute, my Department will be in contact with the applicant on the next stage of the process.