27. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the average processing timelines for foreshore licence applications; the measures that are being introduced to reduce delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51498/26]

84. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of the foreshore licence application process; his plans to increase staffing or technical resources within his Department to address existing delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51497/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 84 together.

The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), under the auspices of the Minster for Climate, Energy and the Environment, are the primary authority in respect of foreshore applications. However, my Department is the appropriate department, under Section 1B of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, where the application:

(a) relates to a fishery harbour centre, or

(b) relates to a function which is primarily for the use, development or support of aquaculture, or is wholly or primarily for the use, development or support of sea-fishing including the processing and sale of sea-fish and manufacture of products derived from sea-fish.

My Department considers applications for foreshore leases and foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, and applicable national and EU legislation.

The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. Decisions in respect of foreshore licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.

All foreshore licence applications must be both technically assessed and screened for an Appropriate Assessment (AA). My Department’s Marine Engineers report on technical matters in relation to foreshore applications and the Marine Institute, as the scientific advisor to my Department, report on foreshore applications, including in respect of Appropriate Assessment screenings.

My Department has recently allocated funding under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to enable the Marine Institute to recruit two additional technical experts to focus solely on the completion of Appropriate Assessments. While these additional resources are targeted at aquaculture licensing, this will in turn increase the Marine Institute's capacity to advise on foreshore applications also. Additionally, my Department has engaged the services of an external environmental consultant to assist with clearing the current back log of Appropriate Assessments, as appropriate.

Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding applications, having regard to the complexities involved and the need to fully comply with all relevant national and EU legislation.