Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when management plans will be implemented in all coastal special areas of conservation where this contributes to the delay in the issuing of aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4913/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is in consultation 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.

It is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to establish the conservation measures which he considers appropriate, in respect of special areas of conservation designated under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 94 of 1997) including, if necessary, management plans.