Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is considerable frustration over aquaculture and nobody is more frustrated than I am. I must be clear, firm and consistent on every application that comes to me, whether it is an application for a very large operation in Galway Bay or for a small operation in Ballycotton. We are obliged to act in a way that is consistent with our commitments to the European Commission and we will do that so that when we license them they are licences that will last and will respect all the regulations with which we must comply. Unfortunately there are many irregularities which are being corrected at the moment. A considerable amount is happening in this area and we are accelerating the pace of consideration of licence applications. That is why I hope that people, who have been waiting - in some cases for years - for decisions on new licences or the renewal of existing licences, will get the consideration they need in the not too distant future, but it is taking time.

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