Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In 2007 the European Court of Justice, ECJ - in case C418/04 - declared that by failing to take all measures necessary to comply with Article 6.3 of the EU habitats directive in respect of the authorisation of aquaculture programmes, Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under the directive. As most aquaculture activity takes place in Natura 2000 areas, it is necessary to undertake appropriate assessments of the effects of aquaculture activity on these areas before any new licences can be issued or any existing licences can be renewed.

In the negotiations to address the ECJ judgment, a process was agreed with the European Commission. This process includes the following steps: data collection in respect of 91 bays or estuaries; detailed analysis of the raw data collected; the setting of conservation objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in respect of each site; the carrying out appropriate assessments - by the Marine Institute - of aquaculture or fishery activities against the detailed conservation objectives set; and determination of licences or fisheries on the basis of the appropriate assessments and other relevant factors. The carrying out of detailed surveys of marine habitats and species has been completed. Conservation objectives have now been set for over 60 bays. Appropriate assessments have been completed in respect of Castlemaine Harbour, Dundalk Bay, Roaringwater Bay, Lough Swilly and Donegal Bay. This process has begun to achieve meaningful results. In 2013, I made a total of 137 licence determinations, of which approximately 120 were in respect of sites in Natura areas. I expect to be in a position to make in excess of 200 determinations in 2014. The appropriate assessment process represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State. The issue of resources is kept under continuous review having regard to the importance my Department attaches to this issue.

In other words, we are moving as fast as we can by moving through the bays, one by one. We are trying to arrive at a position where we can provide licences to everyone who is eligible to be appropriately licensed. This is a priority for my Department. The current situation is not acceptable where people have out of date licences requiring renewal. We are putting systems in place to deal with licensing efficiently and effectively. More important, a significant number of people want to invest in developing this sector, including setting up new aquaculture farms.

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