Ms Catherine McManus:

That is what we want to find out and what we want a resolution to. We do not see why it should be so difficult or lengthy. There needs to be a concerted effort, as has been pointed out by my colleagues, to look at all the legislation that underpins our sector, consolidate it and put timelines on decisions. The applicant has timelines. For example, if we make an application, there are very defined timelines of when you have to apply, advertise, respond and so on, but we do not have the timelines the other way around. If you make an application to a local authority to build a house, there is certainty. We know how long the process takes and what it is.

In this particular forum, however, we have no certainty whatsoever.

On the point about why we want 20-year licences, our investors are very patient people, waiting for some progress in Ireland on aquaculture output but investors need certainty because, in our sector, you need deep pockets to invest in anything to do with the sea. We are dealing with a very difficult environment. We are responding to climate change. It is a difficult environment to work in. You need deep pockets to fund that but, equally, our investors need certainty that licences will have some durability and length so that their investment will be secured.