Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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I appreciate that, but some local authorities take the infrastructure of their piers more seriously than others. I suppose this is a matter for local authorities but can anything be done to fund the preplanning work? I imagine Country Clare is not unique in this regard and there are several projects that could do with works but the local communities cannot get them to the stage where they can apply to the Department for funding. This is partly because it is not a priority for local authorities. I appreciate that local authorities are under funding pressure, as is every other level of government. Carrying out the works that would enable local authorities to apply to the Department is not a sufficiently high priority for them.

Another point relates to the regulatory processes and delays and duplication in licensing. Has any progress been made in this regard?