Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the baseline data being gathered by the Marine Institute to inform appropriate assessments for special areas of conservation and special protection areas to allow for fishing or other activities will be fully compiled; when it is envisaged outstanding issues will be resolved; when the national seafood development operational programme 2007 to 2013 will be fully approved and commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43184/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and its agencies working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has developed a comprehensive plan to deliver compliance with the EU Birds and Habitat Directives for wild fisheries and aquaculture over a three year timeframe. A meeting between the Department, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, relevant Agencies and DG Environment took place in Brussels on 13 May 2009 to discuss the plan with a view to securing DG Environment's support for the approach set down in the plan.

DG Environment advised at that time that it was, in principle, favourably disposed towards Ireland's plan subject to a positive response to the issues raised and further clarifications from the Irish authorities on the details of the plan. However, it has more recently advised that it remains concerned about some aspects of the planned approach to delivering compliance for aquaculture licensing. The most recent views of DG Environment are being examined. In the meantime a programme of baseline data collection funded by the Department is being undertaken by the Marine Institute. Appropriate Assessments have been carried out by the Marine Institute in recent months prior to the opening of wild fisheries at Castleisland, Co. Kerry, and Dundalk Bay.

The National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 draft was advertised for public consultation in October 2008 as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. During the consultation both the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board raised concerns regarding the granting of aid to projects where environmental issues arise relating to compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and sea lice control on salmon farms. Pending resolution of these issues, the National Seafood Development Operational Programme has not yet been adopted.

The Department is in close liaison with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the European Commission with a view to agreeing an approach that will give the necessary assurances on the concerns raised that can facilitate the approval of the National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013.