I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
The application referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located within Lough Swilly which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites).
As previously advised my Department is constrained by law from issuing or renewing aquaculture licences for sites located within Natura 2000 areas until such time as an `Appropriate Assessment' has been conducted to assess the potential effects of the proposed aquaculture activities on the conservation objectives for that Natura site. The licensing process must take full account of the outcome of that assessment in reaching a determination on any particular licence application.
The Appropriate Assessment report has been completed by the Marine Institute in respect of Lough Swilly.
My Department is currently examining the outcomes of the Appropriate Assessment with a view to formulating policy recommendations in respect of individual licences held by operators in the Lough. Such policy recommendations will take account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each licence application. This process which is very detailed in nature is ongoing.
In accordance with protocols governing the Appropriate Assessment procedures my Department has not issued any new aquaculture licences or renewals of same in the designated Natura sites in Lough Swilly.
My Department is in ongoing communication with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the EU Commission on all aspects of the Appropriate Assessment process.
I am aware that some Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the aquaculture sector have, similar to SMEs in other sectors, experienced difficulties in accessing credit in recent years. The Minister for Finance established the Credit Review Office (CRO) to assist SMEs in this situation. The CRO helps SMEs who have had an application for credit of up to €3 million declined or reduced by either Bank of Ireland or AIB, and who feel that they have a viable business proposition. They also look at cases where borrowers feel that the terms and conditions of their existing loan, or a new loan offer, are unfairly onerous or have been unreasonably changed to their detriment. This is a strictly confidential process between the business, the CRO and the relevant bank. Further details are available at www.creditreview.ie.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation (508/2014) and the Fisheries Block Exemption Regulation (1388/2014) are the State Aid instruments that specify what aid may be made available to the seafood sector. These Regulations do not provide any State Aid basis for providing compensation to aquaculture operators whose licence is not renewed or is revoked.
