Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No 483 of 13 March 2012 if he will give some indicative timeframe on the assessment of an area (details supplied) in County Sligo. [28993/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As indicated in my previous reply to the Deputy the application referred to is in respect of a site located within Drumcliff Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats 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) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of 'Natura' areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Analysis of the data, 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 is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.

The timeframe for reaching a determination in respect of applications will vary depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, culture method, potential visual impact, access route and frequency of access to sites, other activities in the area etc. This does not include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period. In addition, the designated status of the site as an SAC/SPA represents a further element of complexity which must be addressed to ensure compliance with relevant national and EU legislation.

Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and you can be assured that every effort is being made to expedite the determination of this aquaculture licence application having regard to all the complexities involved.