Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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807. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the appropriate assessment for Rutland Natura site, County Donegal will be completed; the conservation objectives set to allow aquaculture licence applications to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26893/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Rutland Island and Sound is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive.

In order to ensure 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 the bay. 

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. This work is ongoing and a great deal of progress has been made to date. Conservation Objectives have been set for Rutland Island and Sound SAC.

Conservation Objectives have been set for Rutland Island and Sound SAC. The next step in the process is the carrying out of an Appropriate Assessment by the Marine Institute.  This is being progressed taking account of the need to facilitate the use of scientific and other resources on a flexible basis across the full range of bays.  

The average timeframe for processing each particular application 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 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.