Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
181. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications are awaiting appropriate assessments at the Marine Institute; if there is an update on prioritisation to deal with these applications in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence determinations issued by his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35719/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra183. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications that are awaiting determination with his Department ; the efforts that are being made to address delays in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35720/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra184. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications processed with appropriate assessments completed by the Marine Institute and his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182, 183 and 184 together.
My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and 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.
My Department has allocated funding under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to enable the Marine Institute to recruit two additional technical experts to focus solely on the completion of Appropriate Assessments for Aquaculture Licensing. This resource will be targeted to deal with those applications on hand, and those anticipated to be received in the coming years. Additionally, my Department has engaged the services of an external environmental consultant to assist with clearing the current back log of Appropriate Assessments, as appropriate.
The number of aquaculture licences: (i) awaiting Appropriate Assessment (AA) at the Marine Institute: (ii) determinations issued by my Department since November 2025: (iii) applications awaiting determination: and (iv) applications processed with AAs completed by the MI since November 2025 are provided in the table below:
|
Type |
AA Screening Requests with MI |
Stage 2 AA Requests with MI |
Determinations since November 2025 |
Pending Applications / Awaiting Determination |
Applications Processed with AAs completed by MI Since November 2025 |
|
Marine Finfish |
2 |
12 |
0 |
35 |
0 |
|
Land-based |
0 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
0 |
|
Shellfish and Aquatic Plants |
52 |
80 |
0 |
520 |
0 |
