Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the bays in County Kerry that are awaiting aquaculture licences; the status of each of these applications; and when is the approval for licences envisaged for each application. [41951/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences for commercial processing of sea-food produce have been applied for in County Kerry; the number that have been approved; the number of applicants awaiting approval as each license granted has the potential to create up to 20 jobs; if he will expedite the processing of these applications [41955/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 478 together.

The number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting decision in respect of sites in County Kerry is 75. The vast majority to these sites are located in areas designated as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. All such sites are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Habitats/Birds Directives before licensing decisions can be made. The average timeframe for processing licence applications varies depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites, potential visual impact etc. Other factors include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period.

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. A comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives for Natura sites is ongoing and significant progress has been made.

In this regard the appropriate assessment process for Castlemaine has been completed and my Department expects to be in a position to proceed to the public consultation phase very shortly.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the licensing of salmon farming off the Aran Islands in Galway bay; if his attention has been drawn to the possible threats to wild fish stocks due to possible disease or sea lice emanating from these farms. [41983/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay has been received by my Department. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement is being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act which provide for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has responsibility for wild salmon stocks. The legislation also provides for a period of general public consultation.

The control protocols in respect of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:

- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry

- data obtained as a result of inspections is published

- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level

These controls are generally regarded as representing best practice internationally.