Written answers

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Foreshore Licences

2:00 pm

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will renew the contracts for the appointment of external valuers to evaluate existing foreshore licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29366/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for foreshore licensing in respect of activity which is wholly or primarily for the use, development or support of sea-fishing or aquaculture, as well as any function in relation to a designated Fishery Harbour Centre. In relation to foreshore licensing outside the designated Fishery Harbour Centres, my Department is in the process of undertaking a tendering exercise to secure the services of external valuers in accordance with standard public procurement procedures.

In relation to the designated Fishery Harbour Centres, on the 19th May 2008 my Department entered into a Framework Agreement with a particular external valuer to carry out valuations at the Fishery Harbour Centres. This agreement is due to expire on the 18th May 2012. The contract for the provision of a valuation service will be reviewed at that time and the appropriate arrangements put in place to offer that contract to tender, if required.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way he proposes to overcome the current log-jam of existing foreshore licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29441/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The current delay in the processing of new and renewal aquaculture licence and accompanying foreshore 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 the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Art, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 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. This comprehensive data collection programme, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications will be dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.

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.

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