David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

92. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences he has received with respect to operating in Ballycotton Bay, County Cork; when an appropriate assessment of Ballycotton Bay, as required under the EU birds-habitats directive, will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6333/14]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am asking about the progress that has been made with an aquaculture licence application in respect of Ballycotton Bay in east Cork. I understand the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have been considering a multi-annual work programme for quite some time and that it is basically complete. Can the Minister tell us the current position? When does he expect to be in a position to make a decision on the application in question?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Six aquaculture licence applications are awaiting determination in Ballycotton Bay, which is designated as a special protection area - a Natura 2000 site - under the EU birds directive. The European Court of Justice declared in case C418/04 that by failing to take all the measures necessary to comply with Article 6(3) of the habitats directive in respect of authorisation of aquaculture programmes, Ireland failed to fulfil its obligations under that directive. My Department is working closely with the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to achieve full compliance with the birds and habitats directives through a multi-annual work programme. This programme entails the collection of necessary data in relevant marine Natura sites, the development of conservation objectives in those sites, the completion of appropriate assessments and the establishment of fisheries Natura plans and other arrangements to enable a progressive roll-out of determinations in line with the Natura obligations once all the preconditions are met.

It is a very long answer to a very short question. The process has begun to achieve meaningful results. Assessments have been completed in respect of Castlemaine Harbour, Dundalk Bay, Lough Swilly, Donegal Bay and Roaringwater Bay. We are accelerating the number of applications we are considering and in most cases granting because by the time it gets to me it has been sieved through the various assessment procedures. I will inquire as to where Ballycotton is positioned on that list and will come back directly to the Deputy with a more accurate date. I do not have it before me.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. This has been ongoing for quite some time and I am delighted that some progress is being made. I would welcome the further information and ask the Minister to do what he can to expedite it, as it is a very important issue.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is considerable frustration over aquaculture and nobody is more frustrated than I am. I must be clear, firm and consistent on every application that comes to me, whether it is an application for a very large operation in Galway Bay or for a small operation in Ballycotton. We are obliged to act in a way that is consistent with our commitments to the European Commission and we will do that so that when we license them they are licences that will last and will respect all the regulations with which we must comply. Unfortunately there are many irregularities which are being corrected at the moment. A considerable amount is happening in this area and we are accelerating the pace of consideration of licence applications. That is why I hope that people, who have been waiting - in some cases for years - for decisions on new licences or the renewal of existing licences, will get the consideration they need in the not too distant future, but it is taking time.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What is the untapped potential of this sector jobs-wise and from an economic point of view?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will be somewhat vague on this. I believe the potential is significant. Europe views Ireland as probably having the cleanest aquaculture in the world. Our coast to the west and south west is open to the cleanest waters on the planet, in the Atlantic. That is why organic farmed salmon in Ireland commands a premium price on international markets and why Irish shellfish attracts so much interest from abroad. Demand from home and abroad is not the problem in this sector. The problem is the ability to produce in a way that is appropriate, maintains quality and reassures everybody who may have concerns about pollution, environmental management, marine life, bird life and so on. We need to get a balance in our use of bays between leisure and commerce, as we have here. The potential for growth and expansion in the aquaculture and finfish farming sector is very significant.