Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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I thank Mr. Gault and Dr. O'Hagan for assisting us with our deliberations. When one comes from a maritime constituency one understands the complexities involved. I served in a local authority and on its coastal management committee. I was also a spokesperson on the marine and dealt with the issue of aquaculture licences. I consistently point out that this is an island nation, but sometimes we tend to forget that. In west Cork people say "I was on Cape Clear" or "I was on Sherkin" or "I was on the islands", but we are on an island 24/7. There is vast complexity around that. As a public representative I was involved in cases of applications for planning permission in the coastal area of west Cork and one begins to understand the sheer volume of complexity people are dealing with. It is a privilege to meet people who are expert in that area, because one always ends up discovering something new.

I thank you most sincerely for your input and wish you well for the future.

We will suspend the sitting for a few minutes and resume with the representatives of Clare County Council.