Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have had almost three hours of information-gathering which has been significantly beneficial to us. I am conscious the overhead screen for most of the presentation has been on the final slide from Dr. Connolly which states an integrated marine plan should incorporate all other aspects, such as the marine leisure sector. The Natura sites are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, the foreshore is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government while the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority in signing off on an aquaculture licence. Therein lies the problem that is fixable from an Irish perspective, regardless of any other regulations and rules to which we have to adhere.

When those of us who are not so fluent as Gaeilge see the full Official Report of today’s proceedings, we will have a broader perspective. I do not mean any disrespect when I say that.