Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The significant difference is that it is a much more streamlined process. The prioritisation of certain applications as agreed by the Government has meant that other applications on hand have had to be paused. The amendment provides a pathway for paused applications to move to MARA to be dealt with more efficiently as the foreshore system continues to wind down. The advantage to the applicant is that he or she will, if the application is granted, obtain a more modern maritime area consent rather than a lease or a licence.