Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
678 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for an aquaculture and foreshore licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the length of time this application will take to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35260/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application referred to, which was received by my Department in March of this year, is in respect of a site located within Sheephaven Bay, Co Donegal which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All applications in ‘Natura' areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of ‘Natura' areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Analysis of the data, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.
Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and the Deputy can be assured that every effort is being made to expedite the determination of this aquaculture licence application having regard to all the complexities involved.
