Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 618 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination by his Department on 17 July 2012 that have since been decided; the number of applications in total currently awaiting a decision; the average time taken to process these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42004/12]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications that have been awaiting a decision for more than one year; the progress being made by him to ensure that the applications are dealt with as promptly as possible in view of the potential for the growth of export-led business in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42005/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.

The number of aquaculture licence applications determined since 17th July 2012 is 9. The number of applications in total currently awaiting determination is 618. The average timeframe for processing individual 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. The number of licence applications awaiting a decision for more than one year is 528.

The number of licence applications awaiting determination largely arises because the majority of areas for which aquaculture licences are sought are located in areas designated as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. All applications in ‘Natura 2000’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Habitats/Birds Directives. An additional factor is that all aquaculture applications now undergo Environmental Impact pre-screening assessment which requires significant input from the Department’s scientific and technical advisors.

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.

My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of all aquaculture applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.