Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will appoint a principal officer to deal with delays in the processing of aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35862/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The aquaculture licensing function is dealt with by the Coastal Zone Management Division of the Department which is headed by a Principal Officer.

There is a substantial backlog in licence applications at present. This is due in large measure to the fact that many of the existing licences were granted for a period of 10 years on foot of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and are therefore falling due for renewal at present. In addition, many of the outstanding aquaculture licence applications are located in Natura 2000 sites.

My Department is working actively with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the European Commission to develop a methodology acceptable to the Commission to enable these aquaculture licences to be renewed in compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives. A sum of €1.4m has been set aside in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Vote for 2009, to assist environmental compliance activities in relation to aquaculture and sea fishing activities in Natura 2000 sites.

Reaching early agreement with the Commission on how to enable licence renewals in Natura 2000 sites in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives will greatly assist reducing the backlog of aquaculture licence renewals.

The application process has become increasingly complex since the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 was enacted and involves a range of intermediate measures before a recommendation and decision can be made in any one case

My Department is endeavouring as a matter of priority, to allocate on a temporary basis additional resources, to address the requirements to meet the demand which is peaking for renewal of the licences issued ten years ago.

It should be noted that licensees awaiting determinations on renewal of their licences continue to enjoy the protection of their licences until such time as determinations are made and therefore can continue to work their aquaculture sites.