Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for appearing before us to talk us through this in greater detail. My question is really for the EPA. The witnesses from the EPA mentioned that over 1,500 have already been registered on its registration database. Do the witnesses think this system is working well or would they like to see it moved to a statutory footing? The witnesses from SWAN mentioned the existing licences and having a different approach to new licences. Could they elaborate on that? I would like to hear the EPA's perspective on it. When new laws came in based on an EU directive to regulate quarries, all of the quarries had to go back and re-apply for substitute consent to make sure they were adhering to the current regulations. It seems fairly reasonable that everybody operates off the same regulations. I am not sure if I fully picked up what the witnesses from SWAN were saying but my interpretation was that they were saying that existing licences will have a very different approach to new licences. I would like to learn what this is the case and possibly rectify that if that is the case.

Deputy Ó Broin asked about the cubic metre threshold. The witnesses from the EPA have come in on that so I would like to hear SWAN's perspective on that. The witnesses from the EPA said that they will be regulating it but from an enforcement perspective, the question remains as to whether the EPA has the resources to administer this from an enforcement perspective if that was given to it. If not, would that be quite a big administrative burden? How much of a head count would the EPA require to take on that level of responsibility?