Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The application for the aquaculture licence referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located in 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. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme of gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of 'Natura' areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. This is followed by data analysis and the setting of appropriate Conservation Objectives by the NPWS. Once this process is complete all new, renewal and review aquaculture applications can be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

The Appropriate Assessment of Castlemaine Harbour has been completed and the licensing implications are currently being examined by my Department. The application has been received by my Department and will be considered in due course.