Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he proposes to take to resolve the difficulties at an EU Commission level regarding the operational programme for fisheries and specifically measures regarding the Shellfish Waters Directive and the Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17915/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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This matter, in so far as it concerns the operational programme for fisheries, is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My Department has been consulted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive in the operation of fisheries and aquaculture programmes. This is critically important against the background of the December 2007 ruling of the European Court of Justice which, inter alia, found that Ireland had failed to apply the requirements of these directives with regard to aquaculture licensing.