Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of aquaculture licences currently awaiting first time approval or renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23327/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There are 488 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination – this consists of 259 applications for first time licences and 229 renewal applications.

The backlog in the processing of new and renewal licence applications largely arises because the majority of areas for which the licences are sought are designated Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or Special Protection Areas under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites).

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.

My Department continues to make every effort 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.