Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of aquaculture licences sought in the 2011 to 2016 period, by county, in tabular form; the number awaiting decision in this period; the number decided in this period; the number awaiting decision at present broken down between shell fish licences and fin fish licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3640/17]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences sought since he came into office; the number awaiting decision when he came into office; the number decided since he came into office; the number awaiting decision at present broken down between shell fish licences and fin fish licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3641/17]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences sought for County Donegal since he came into office; the number awaiting decision when he came into office; the number decided since he came into office; the number awaiting decision at present broken down between shell fish licences and fin fish licences; if a public consultation took place with stakeholders before any licences were issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3643/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 191 and 193 together.

The very detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and will require an extensive examination of my Department’s records.

The information sought by the Deputy will be given priority by the licensing Division of my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

I can confirm now, however, that the legislation governing aquaculture licence applications provides for a period of statutory and general public consultation, which is adhered to in all cases.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fin fish and shell fish licence applications he expects to decide on between now and 1 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3642/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department considers all applications for marine-based aquaculture licences in accordance with the following legislation:

Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 (and Regulations made thereafter e.g. SI 236 of 1998)

- Foreshore Act 1933

- EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

- EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)

- Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment Directives (2011/92/EU).

In addition, my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting an “Appropriate Assessment” process in respect of designated Natura bays. This process was agreed with the European Commission and is designed to ensure that Ireland is in full compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

This process includes the following steps:

- a detailed data collection in Marine Bays/Estuaries

- detailed analysis of raw data collected

- setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site

- carrying out Appropriate Assessments of each licence application / fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set, and

- determination of Licences on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors.

The Appropriate Assessment process has now been completed in respect of twenty-one bays.

The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors as well as various statutory consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. It is not possible to predict with certainty what issues will arise from this process of consultation which may require further investigation. 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.

In all the circumstances, it is not possible to give a definitive figure for licence determinations in the first Quarter of 2017. However, up to 50 licence determinations  are considered achievable either in Quarter 1 or shortly thereafter.