Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a license was issued (details supplied) in spite of not all the requirements being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34945/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department considers applications for aquaculture licences 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 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 licences are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.

A decision to grant the licence referred to by the Deputy was made in December 2017. The reasons for determining to grant a licence were published at the time and are available at the following link: .

The Determination noted that the site was not located in a Natura Area, i.e. in a Special Area of Conservation, and, in accordance with the licensing process in place at the time, an Appropriate Assessment was not carried out.

In accordance with Section 40 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, it was open to any person aggrieved by the decision on the application to make an appeal to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, within one month of the date of publication of the decision. No appeals were lodged at the time in respect of the decision to grant the licence and a licence was subsequently issued for a period of ten years, commencing on 7th December 2017.