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

This started in 2012 and, therefore, nobody can accuse me of rushing anything in this space. I sometimes make the distinction between aquaculture and finfish farming because I see aquaculture as shellfish. People are looking for certainty regarding a likely timeline relating to when they apply for something and when they get a decision and we are trying to put systems in place that can give certainty, whether it is a positive or negative decision. We need to be able to make decisions with proper scientific advice in a reasonable timeframe and we are trying to put systems in place that can do that. I assure the Senator we will not make irresponsible decisions or decisions on the basis of lobbying by any company, regardless of its size or scale. We will make decisions on the basis of the advice I get from experts in the Marine Institute and others who have an input into the licensing process and who deserve to be fully heard as well. That will be the only criterion for making decisions.