asked the Minister for Communications the reason for the delay in granting a foreshore licence to Cork County Council, which is causing a delay in the advertising for tenders for the construction of the Midleton sewerage scheme.
Written Answers. - Foreshore Licence.
100.
The application by Cork County Council for a licence under the Foreshore Act, 1933, to lay a sewage outfall pipe at Rathcoursey Point is at present under consideration in my Department.
A large number of objections received following publication of the proposal are being considered. Particular concern has been expressed that the proposed discharge of untreated sewage might lead to an increase in the level of viral and bacterial contamination of an important oyster resource in Cork Harbour and could represent a threat to the continued exploitation of the resource. The objections are the subject of discussion and consultation between my Department and the Departments of Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment and Cork County Council.
As announced on 11 May 1984 in Cork by the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism, on behalf of the Government, a decision on this application will be taken within six months.