Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any licences have been granted for the trial growth of genetically modified crops; and if so, if he will provide details of the licences granted. [41036/11]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any applications for the trial growth of genetically modified crops currently under consideration. [41038/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together.

The undertaking of field trials of genetically modified crops is subject to the requirements of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. An entity who wishes to carry out a field trial of a genetically modified organism (GMO) must apply for approval to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as Irish competent authority for the purposes of these Regulations. The applicant must publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in the area of the proposed deliberate release to inform the public that they have applied for approval and the public may make submissions to the EPA in relation to their application. As Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I have no function in relation to the GMO licensing process in individual cases.