Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding licensing applications on hand; the breakdown of same under the categories of the number of new licence applications, the number of licences under review and the number of licences for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18788/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. 47 of 6 November 2007 which indicated, inter alia, that 254 applications were being processed as new applications, licence renewals or licences undergoing review. Since then, the Department has received 17 new applications, 10 applications to renew a licence and 3 applications to review a licence.

The licensing procedure is lengthy and complex, involving a range of intermediate measures before a recommendation and decision can be made in any one case. I should also point out that the process has become considerably more complex in recent years due to increased activity and demands in the coastal zone and the knock-on need to take an ever greater account of public safety, environmental and economic issues.

I wish to advise the Deputy that a detailed examination of all applications within my Department is currently underway as a matter of urgency with a view to categorising all applications shortly, including by reference to the categories identified by the Deputy. This examination is part of a broader categorisation exercise which is one of the detailed measures being taken by my Department to successfully address the backlog in applications and is in keeping with measures recommended in the Cawley Report aimed at delivering an improved service to customers.