Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2017
192. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked 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]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
