Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
586. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated number of staff hours required in 2016 to process an aquaculture licence application by his Department; the estimated number of hours required to process a similar application in the early 2000s; and the reason, if applicable, for the increase in the required staff hours. [30358/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not aware of any formal or structured survey on the issue referred to by the Deputy. However it is without doubt that the level of administration required by my Department to process aquaculture licence applications has increased dramatically in recent years. This is due to the requirement for full compliance with all current National and EU legislation. The assessment process reflects the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspect of each application.
