Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 979: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1307 of 27 January 2009, the status of the licence application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11706/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The area for which the licences are sought is a designated Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).

In the course of assessing the applications a number of complexities have arisen due to the Natura 2000 status of the area. As a result further consultation is necessary with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The applications have been referred to that Department for further consideration having regard to the ongoing discussions between the two Departments on the issue of aquaculture activities in Natura 2000 sites generally.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department is making every effort to reach a determination in these cases as soon as possible.