Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans in place to update the baseline scientific studies carried out by the Marine Institute in relation to the Natura designated bays across Ireland in view of the fact that the scientific data is already a few years old and in need of updating due to the time lapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37712/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a limited role in relation to this matter. The baseline data referred to by the Deputy in respect of designated Natura 2000 areas (i.e. areas protected under EU Birds-Habitats Directives) is prepared by the Marine Institute in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service which comes under the remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DAHRRGA). This enables NPWS to prepare Conservation Objectives in respect of the relevant bays.

The Conservation Objectives are a necessary precursor to the preparation of Appropriate Assessments by the Marine Institute of the same bays in order to facilitate aquaculture licensing. The Appropriate Assessment process arises from a European Court of Justice (ECJ) Judgment against Ireland in 2007.

My Department is not aware of any requirement for a further update of the baseline data. Furthermore, the Programme of Measures by Ireland to ensure full compliance with the ECJ Judgement is updated biannually by NPWS in conjunction with a number of Government Departments including DAFM.

The Appropriate Assessments take all aquaculture licence applications into account for each bay at a particular point in time. Appropriate Assessments have now been received by my Department in respect of twenty bays, Bannow Bay; Ballycotton Bay; Castlemaine Harbour; Clew Bay; Donegal Bay; Drumcliff Bay/Cummeen Harbour; Dundalk Bay; Dungarvan Harbour; Galway Bay; Gweedore Bay; Kenmare Bay; Kilkieran Bay; Lough Swilly; River Barrow & River Nore; Roaringwater Bay; Sheephaven Bay; Trawbreaga Bay; Valentia Harbour/Portmagee Channel; West of Ardara / Maas Road; Wexford Harbour.

In all the circumstances, my Department is satisfied that the present measures fully meet the requirements of the ECJ Judgment and every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this process.