Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food if he will address a matter (details supplied), with a view to expediting the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17465/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The individual referred to by the Deputy applied for an Aquaculture Licence in June 2010. The application, in accordance with standard procedure, was issued to my Department's scientific and technical advisors for comment. A delay has arisen as the area applied for has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and also a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites).

In the case of aquaculture sites located within Natura 2000 areas my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas. This process is ongoing and significant progress has been made. This comprehensive data collection programme, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications will be dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.

My department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of all outstanding cases having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.