Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will grant an oyster growing licence to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [11041/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The application referred to is in respect of a site located within Castlemaine Harbour which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).

All applications in 'Natura' areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

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 (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas. This process is ongoing and significant progress has been made. Once the relevant data has been collected, conservation objectives for the site have to be established by NPWS. Following this the site is appropriately assessed (by the Marine Institute) for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the conservation objectives.

An appropriate assessment has recently been completed in relation to the Castlemaine Natura site. My Department is currently in the process of disseminating the appropriate assessment to consultees as part of the overall licensing process. The licensing process will also include a period of public consultation.

My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of aquaculture licence applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply with all national and EU legislation.