Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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337. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline, in view of the statement in chapter 6 of the national strategy plan for sustainable aquaculture development that the scale limits set out for salmon farms will be applied, the purpose of consultation at this stage in relation to this issue. [26421/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the measures introduced in the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, agreed in 2013, is the requirement for each Member State to implement a multi-annual national strategic plan for aquaculture. As the Deputy is aware, the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development has been published by my Department and is currently the subject of public consultation. It would not be appropriate for anyone to seek to pre-judge the outcome of the consultation process or any actions, legislative or otherwise, that might follow on from that process. In the meantime, and in the normal way, applications on hand must continue to be assessed under the provisions of the existing legislation.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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338. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he proposes to establish a support scheme for new entrants to aquaculture, as set out in the national strategy plan for sustainable aquaculture development, when the appropriate assessments for Natura 2000 bays published to date by the Marine Institute show very limited, if any, possibilities for further increases in aquaculture activity and, in view of this, if this proposed scheme is not a waste of public money. [26422/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the measures introduced in the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, agreed in 2013, is the requirement for each Member State to implement a multi-annual national strategic plan for aquaculture. Ireland’s draft Plan along with its accompanying environmental reports is currently undergoing public consultation until 24 July.

The draft plan has been prepared in accordance with the regulatory requirements and guidance from the European Commission. In particular, the plan must strive for coherence with the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation (508/2014), which in the case of aquaculture stipulates that the Fund should be accessible to new SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) and should contribute to bringing new farmers into the business. In order to increase the competitiveness and economic performance of aquaculture activities and in recognition of its socio-economic importance in particular coastal areas, the proposed new entrant scheme is intended to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship.

With regard to bays which have Natura 2000 designations within them; the situation regarding scope for possible increases in aquaculture activity varies widely from bay to bay and between different areas within bays. The purpose of the ongoing programme of appropriate assessments is to ensure that Ireland’s aquaculture industry is compatible with the objectives of the Habitats Directive.