Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note the comments of all the Deputies. I have the utmost regard for our fishing families and communities. As was stated, many of them have existed for several generations and many have paid the ultimate price in the course of their work. In the context of anything I say that may be technical as I respond to each of the points, I underline that I appreciate the great work they do and the price some pay. We want to support them in any way we can.

I think there may have been a misunderstanding. We are talking about nearshore designates, that is, local authority designates. We are not talking about planning permission or consent. Whether with An Bord Pleanála, if it requires an environmental impact assessment or with the local authority, planning permission or consent requires a consultation of either five or eight weeks. As I said, the consultation will take four weeks in respect of the nearshore designate. This is not about zoning; it is about which local authority has jurisdiction for a particular area and the consultation regarding the termination of that.