Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for highlighting those specific points. He makes a valid point. Notwithstanding all the timelines I outlined, he pointed to an understandable concern among local communities. If a process is taking as long to come through as the one in Kinsale to which he referred, the community would be justified in feeling frustrated. As he stated, it is important to keep the focus on that. It is a complex process. I outlined clearly in my initial response the challenges that are involved. As a State and a State body, we have to ensure we do that right. I take on board the points raised by the Senator and I will bring them back to the Department.

As regards the review group, it identified as a key priority the backlog that existed in aquaculture licence applications at the time. That backlog fed into some of the time delays referred to by the Senator. The backlog in shellfish aquaculture licence applications has effectively been eliminated as an issue affecting the industry and work is being prioritised to address outstanding renewal applications in fin fish aquaculture. The further implementation of the licensing review group report forms an important part of the programme for Government.

With the indulgence of the Acting Chairperson, I will refer to phase 2. Our focus and attention is now on phase 2, which has been developed in 24 months. It involved the development of a fully online system through which applicants for licences can submit all documents and supporting data electronically. The system will be fully integrated with other systems. Its delivery will create a one-stop shop for aquaculture licence applications, a process that will significantly reduce the administrative burden. That is at the nub of the problem raised by the Senator. Phase 2 can deliver a much more streamlined process. It is a key step in delivering on our commitments under the programme for Government to further implement the recommendations of the independent aquaculture licensing review group.