Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the breakdown of the number of aquaculture licence applications received and granted for the years 2003 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4889/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is shown in the following table.

The figures provided do not include renewal, assignment, revocation, amendment or review of licences. Licences issued by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board follow on from appeals of decisions made by the Minister.

In considering an application for an aquaculture licence, including an application to renew an aquaculture licence, the licensing authority must consider:

the potential impacts on safety and navigation,

the ecological impacts on wild fisheries, natural habitats, flora and fauna,

the suitability of the waters,

the other beneficial uses of the place or waters,

the likely effects on the economy of the area, and

the statutory status under European legal frameworks of the area under application.

This process involves consultation with a range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various statutory consultees. Applications are also subject to public consultation whereby any interested person or body may make submissions or observations on any licence application. The process also involves publication of Ministerial decisions on applications and allowing a one month period for appeal of any decision. Any such appeal must then be considered by the independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board.

The reduction in the number of new licences issued in 2008 arises from the need for full compliance with the requirements of EU legislation and in particular the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

My Department is working actively with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the EU Commission to agree future procedures to ensure that all applications for aquaculture licences are fully compliant with the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. €1.46 million has been set aside specifically to support compliance of fisheries and aquaculture with respect to activities in Natura 2000 sites.

Reaching early agreement with the EU Commission on how to enable licences to be issued in Natura 2000 sites in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives is a very high priority for my Department.