Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Not in this case. I welcome the witnesses. I am not a member of the committee, but I represent a constituency with a large fishing industry. That is why I am present. Aquaculture is of considerable importance to the people of Cork South-West.

In fairness, Dr. Beamish went through the question of the delay in the issuing of licences in detail. I will take him at his word, but it still seems a long time in light of everything he said. There will be 300 licences this year and 300 next year. Given the long delays, could those applications be expedited? In many constituencies, aquaculture is a large industry and employer, which has a domino effect in those regions.

Does Dr. Beamish have any comment to make on the granting of the licence in Bantry Bay to harvest 1,860 acres of native kelp? I have spoken at three public meetings in the area in recent months.

There is considerable public anger over the issuing of the licence.