Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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92. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress being made by his Department in relation to baseline studies on Ireland's bays as required under EU regulations, EU habitats directive and Natura 2000 directive; if any have been completed; if any are close to being completed; the likely start and completion date of a study on two bays (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is working with the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to achieve full compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives through a multi-annual work programme. This programme required the gathering of the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of aquaculture sites located within designated Natura areas. This data collection programme, which is substantially complete, together with the setting of Conservation Objectives, will enable all new and renewal aquaculture applications to be assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

An Appropriate Assessment has to be carried out before any aquaculture licensing determination may be made in respect of aquaculture applications for sites in designated Natura areas. The Appropriate Assessment process has now been completed by the Marine Institute in respect of Dunbulcan Bay (Clarinbridge) and Oranmore/Galway Bay which are located within the Galway Bay Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Inner Galway Bay Special Protection Area (SPA).

My Department is currently examining the outcome of the Appropriate Assessment with a view to formulating policy recommendations in respect of individual licences held by operators in the Bay. Such policy recommendations will take account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each licence application.

This process is ongoing and every effort is being to expedite a conclusion as soon as possible.