Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 435 of 2 November 2011 and 323 of 21 June 2011, when an application for an aquaculture licence will be processed and a decision issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36344/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The application referred to is in respect of a site located within Ardgroom Harbour, Kenmare Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 area). All applications in 'Natura' areas are required to be 'appropriately assessed' for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and/or Habitats Directives. Accordingly, this application is required to be 'appropriately assessed' as part of the licensing process.

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 2000' 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.

Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and the Deputy 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 and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.