Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 846: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 943 of 19 January 2010, if he has determined all the outstanding cases; when a decision will issue on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14997/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 943 of 19 January 2010 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 case of aquaculture sites located within Natura 2000 areas my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas. This process is ongoing. The comprehensive data collection programme together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives will enable all new and renewal applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding cases having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.