Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
859. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences that were granted or renewed in Natura 2000 areas in Ireland between the introduction of the Natura 2000 sites and the negative judgement of the European Court of Justice in 2007 against Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47448/12]
View answerThe EU Habitats Directive placed an obligation on Member States of the EU to establish the Natura 2000 network. The network is made up of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) established under the EU Birds Directive, and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), established under the Habitats Directive itself. Ireland’s contribution to the Natura 2000 network was created under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 94 of 1997 as amended by S.I. 233 of 1998 and S.I. 378 of 2005). These regulations transposed the EU Directives into Irish national law. The designation of individual ‘Natura’ sites has taken place on a rolling basis since establishment. Since then aquaculture licence determinations in the order of 550 were made up to December 2007 (the date of the European Court of Justice ruling referred to by the Deputy). This figure refers to all determinations made in relation to sites located both inside and outside designated ‘Natura’ areas, having regard to the rolling nature of the designations.
