As I stated in an earlier reply, the Department is preparing a comprehensive response to the committee's report. We fully acknowledge the need for improved standards of service by the Department to the sea fishing sector and to all our client groups.
Priority is being given to systematic upgrading of the quality of customer service across the Department and a number of initiatives are already under way which will address, generally and specifically, customer service recommendations contained in the report. The Department's recently appointed customer service manager is overseeing the implementation of these initiatives and will play a key role in monitoring customer service standards across the Department.
The report itself acknowledges that progress has already been made in some respects and has underlined the challenge faced by the Department given the serious resource constraints to be overcome and the very diverse customer base which makes up the sea fishing sector in particular.