Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I am aware of the Deputy's interest. He has been in touch on a number of occasions on issues relating to Cromane and elsewhere. There are two aspects. I may seek clarification from the Deputy. Anything on land - terrestrial planning - is a matter for the local authority. I referred earlier to the issue around licences in response to Deputy Mac Lochlainn. It is an issue I am concerned about. I can see the impact it is having on the potential for future growth of the aquaculture sector. It is of particular importance at a time when coastal communities are under pressure because of falling stocks, the impact of quotas and the lack of availability of fish to meet the needs of the processing sector. Looking at fishing in a holistic way as a support for coastal communities, it is an important feature. Department officials, agencies and I are engaging in a process to see if we can improve the timelines and certainty around the whole licensing area. It is complex. The Deputy rightly identified that appropriate assessments are not straightforward. It should not be beyond the realms of possibility to get some pathway that would give certainty to those who wish to invest. I am conscious there are some big and relatively small operators for whom this is a difficulty. Deputy Mac Lochlainn outlined what is happening in the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway, and they are able to get it now. They are outside the European Union, but there are others in the Union that can navigate their way through this. I am conscious of the issue.

The Deputy also referred to pair trawling. Pair trawling in itself is one thing, but the issue is within the six-mile limit and larger boats with the capacity to fish aggressively for feed stocks. Sprat is one of those, but there are others. A Minister in a previous Government took particular decision in 2018 or 2019 to change policy. That policy was challenged in the courts and, effectively, rendered null and void. There was a further engagement by my predecessor, Deputy McConalogue, who sought expressions through a public consultation process which generated about 5,500 responses. I have been working through them with the Department. For completeness, before we make a decision, I have sought updated scientific and economic advice. At the time, the decision was taken based on a desire to protect the lives and livelihoods of the smaller inshore fishermen and women, rather than just the ecological damage being done and the impact on fish stocks. There has been an aggressive fishing effort particularly last year. It went from a relatively small amount of catch to a fairly significant catch last year. If that were continue, it would be of concern to us from a stock conservation perspective. We are working through it. I cannot tell the Deputy any more than that. Deputy Whitmore is looking on with some scepticism because I gave her the same answer recently. I know I will not be able to continue to take that position. We are progressing it within the Department. I want to make a decision on it pretty soon. I hope to get back to the Deputy relatively soon.