Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have publicly acknowledged the difficulties being encountered. There is a delay but we have put a number of measures in place. New procedures are being developed. We are well aware of the issues. This has arisen, in the main, on foot of appropriate assessments and judgments of the European Court of Justice against Ireland, to which we have to adhere. We are, however, working hard on putting a new procedure in place. With that in mind, earlier this year I commissioned a study on processing procedures within the Department. That will be published on 28 November. On foot of that, we will develop new procedures and we will channel additional resources both for felling and for approval of licence applications.

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