Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Daly for his question. The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, ALAB, is an independent body established by statute for the purpose of considering appeals of ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications. The situation in respect of the number of appeals pending is an operational matter and one on which the board can respond directly to the Deputy. We will ensure that the Deputy is provided with the relevant information from ALAB.

There has been a challenge in recent years in relation to a backlog of licensing appeals within the Department in particular. That backlog then started to impact on the number of appeals that were forthcoming to ALAB. Significant work has been under way over the past number of years to get on top of that licensing situation and the backlog in terms of making licence decisions within the Department. Thankfully, it has now been addressed and we are in a situation whereby applications are being dealt with in a timely fashion as they are received. That is most important in relation to providing certainty to those who make applications. There has also been a significant issue in recent years where, as a result of the need for a different approach to licensing and for appropriate assessments to be completed on many of our bays, many of the licences had expired and applicants were given temporary licences, pending full consideration of the licence application. Thankfully, licences are being issued in a prompt fashion now.

The Department resources ALAB. It is an issue on which I have engaged with ALAB. We are willing to resource ALAB further to ensure that it is in a position to deal with the applications it has received. It is important that decisions are made and responses are given within a reasonable timeframe, right through the system, in respect of both initial decisions and appeals.

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