Vol. 416 No. 3
18 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline, in respect of the proposed development of a marina at the Skellig Hotel, Dingle, County Kerry, whether planning approval is needed for the project from Kerry County Council before ministerial approval is granted for the project.
20 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will consider withdrawal of his approval in principle to grant a foreshore lease to Dingle Skellig Hotel, in view of the serious concern among the overwhelming majority of the Dingle community, which was clearly demonstated by the recent protest march to Dáil Éireann.
25 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine if he will confirm that, prior to granting approval for the development of a marina at Dingle Skellig Hotel, the project will have to have planning permission from the Kerry county planning authority.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 20 and 25 together.
I will deal first with the planning permission aspects which the Deputies have raised.
My predecessor, when he announced his approval in principle to the granting of a foreshore lease in this case, indicated, in accordance with normal practice, that the granting of the lease would be subject to planning permission being obtained for the onshore aspects of the proposed development and the fulfilling of a number of other conditions.
The stipulation regarding planning permission only applies in so far as such planning permission may be required by the planning authority and may technically be obtained in advance of the grant of the lease. The requirements for planning permission are the responsibility of the relevant local authority, in this case Kerry County Council. I understand that the question of the local authority's requirements in the matter of planning permission is being pursued with the county council and the promoters.
As regards the matter of withdrawing the approval granted in this case, the question of such withdrawal does not arise.
I understand that all aspects of the matter including the various concerns expressed were taken into account by my predecessor when, following a major public inquiry, he decided, on the basis of the recommendations of that inquiry, to grant a lease. That decision represents a formal commitment which, subject to the terms and conditions attached thereto, must be respected.
