Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

That is a very reasonable point. I am glad the committee met with the Department to discuss this. The Government is aware it is critical there are sufficient staffing resources to provide for this new function, the designation of specific DMAPs, and that An Bord Pleanála has sufficient staff to carry out its function. It needs a whole set of new staff who have the qualifications and knowledge required to carry out marine area planning. I will speak to my Department again to discuss resourcing but we are aware of the issue. I am glad the committee spoke to the Department.

See this speech in context