Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
494. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on an application for an aquaculture licence; the date the application was received; the reason for the delay with the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42217/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The applicant referred to by the Deputy has submitted to my Department a number of licence applications for sites in Ballyness Bay 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).
All applications in ‘Natura 2000’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. The Appropriate Assessment Report for Ballyness Bay was completed in February 2019 and the applications referred to went to Public and Statutory Consultation during March 2019. The Public Notice in respect of these applications was published by the applicant in the Donegal Democrat on 14 March 2019. The Public and Statutory Consultation phase for these applications has now concluded.
Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all relevant national and EU legislation. As these applications are currently under consideration by my Department as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the specific applications at this time.
