Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 4

Written Answers. - State-Owned Foreshore.

Avril Doyle

Question:

74 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for the Marine the correct procedure to be adopted to obtain a lease/licence for work on State-owned foreshore; and if he will clarify the role of the statutory body, the local harbour authority, in this matter when the foreshore involved is within their jurisdiction.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

The Foreshore Act, 1933 requires that all developments on State owned foreshore must be authorised by an appropriate licence or lease to be obtained from the Minister for the Marine.

The correct procedure to be adopted is to apply for such a lease or licence to the Minister for the Marine. The application should be accompanied by a large scale Ordnance Survey map (25" latest edition) and detailed plans and drawings of the proposed works.

Certain developments would also require the submission of an environmental impact statement. In addition, applicants will be required to publish notice of the proposal in newspapers circulating in the area.

While a harbour authority has no statutory function in the granting of licences or the making of leases of foreshore, it would be consulted where the proposed development is within the harbour limits. Sometimes a harbour authority, in co-operation with the developer, might itself apply for a head lease of foreshore in order to facilitate and control a particular proposal.