Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

That 90, added to the 24, makes just over 110 applications. I note that of the 24 in his Department the oldest application dates back to 2004 and is currently being processed. One dates from 2006, four from 2007, two from 2008, three from 2009, nine from 2010 and four from 2011 - a total of 24 under the Minister's departmental remit. Under this legislation they will stay within his remit. Perhaps he might provide an overview as to how we might speed up the processing of those applications. If one considers projects that were under way in 2004, 2006, 2007 or 2008, up to eight years ago, finance was available to many of them at the time but now they may run into financial difficulties because of the delay in the processing of the applications. I agree with the Minister that we must speed up the process but I would like him to express a view on how this will be achieved, in light of the new legislation before the House today.

Equally, aquaculture is another massive area. Although this legislation does not deal directly with aquaculture licensing it impinges on it. As I understand it, within the Minister's Department the application figure for aquaculture licences is approaching 600, of which more than 300 are for first-time licences and approximately 270 are for renewal. I understand there is a processing difficulty under the European habitats directive in respect of the special areas of conservation, SACs, and under the EU birds directive, the Natura 2000 sites. I realise the Minister is new to the portfolio and has inherited many applications coming downstream but questions must be asked as to why almost 600 applications are not being processed more efficiently and effectively and within a quicker timeframe. Perhaps there is a difficulty at EU level but if that is the case I would like to know what steps are being taken to address that anomaly or deal with that difficulty so that the very many applications for aquaculture licences to which the Minister referred can be fast-tracked and dealt with in a much speedier timeframe.

I agree with the Minister they are vitally important in terms of employment creation potential. There are approximately 2,800 people working in the aquaculture sector in this country and we could add many more jobs to that number if these projects were dealt with in a more efficient timeframe. I know of a number of applications, from various parts of the country, that are still in the Minister's Department. Unfortunately, the feeling among the applicants' organisations is that they are not being dealt with promptly enough. Perhaps the Minister might deal with that issue.

Another issue referred to in the Bill is the function in respect of the fishery harbour centres. Perhaps the Minister might refer to this in his later address. There is the whole issue of development of fishery harbour centres and the plans his Department has in that regard within the context of a report published a number of years ago, prepared by the Department and presented within it. Unfortunately, however, as I understand it, very little of the report has been implemented in terms of the development potential within harbour centres. I know the Minister recently visited one of the prime harbour centres in the country, in Killybegs, but unfortunately I was unable to attend that day due to another commitment. That harbour centre is crying out for support, particularly from the Minister's Department. I will support the Minister in every way to try to bring that support to Killybegs. However, of the development plan initiated for Killybegs a number of years ago, not one aspect has been implemented even though there were very many excellent recommendations. That leaves cause for concern.

Regarding this legislation, I look forward to hearing further on points that were raised. I assure the Minister that if this Bill can bring about improved efficiencies within the system and improved timeframes in dealing with applications, we will have no difficulty in supporting it on this side of the House