Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

I wish the chairman well in his brief. This is a follow-up on Deputy Mac Lochlainn's contribution. Is there anything within the legislation or the guidelines that says a decision must issue within a certain period? We are frustrated when it comes to An Bord Pleanála. The process lasts as long as a piece of cord. It goes on and on. I do not know whether the witnesses can do something about this or whether they could advise the Minister or recommend to him that decisions should have to be taken. While others will have an input into it, it is the witnesses at the end of the day that a finger is being pointed at for delays. Have they at this stage - or they might let us know later - going back to, say, 2023 the number of appeals as a result of a Minister refusing a decision and the number of appeals as a result of a Minister granting an aquaculture licence? Does it vary or are most of the appeals from those who are opposed to the Minister granting a licence? The witnesses do not have to have that information today but maybe at some stage, or they can come back. Is it many years? I am sure it is not that many.

Also, hopefully the board will get its website up to date soon to show that Dr. McCarthy is the new chairman and it is not the lady who was there previously. That is only to show that I keep an eye on the board.