Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. This is important legislation. I served on Waterford Harbour Commissioners and the Port of Waterford Company for almost 20 years so I am fully aware of the difficulties that arose on many occasions with the granting of foreshore licences.

The Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009 amended the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2009. It provided for a complex division of responsibilities for foreshore licences. It is accepted that the wording in that Act was difficult for business to understand clearly and to follow. It was not good for people who wished to do business in Ireland and wished to develop our green and other energy sectors. That is an accepted fact.

The word that has been used most in this debate is "clarity". This Bill brings clarity in response to all the questions that have been posed to the Minister. It outlines the functions of the different Ministers, which is a good thing. It is good for the legislation itself and for the people who will seek licences, irrespective of whether those licences are from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Clarity is the order of the day and I welcome any legislation that generates greater clarity. I commend the Minister for bringing such legislation to the House.