I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 37, 64 and 178 together.
In any development project such as the proposed Masonite plant which involves State funding, there are clear distinctions between the grant aid aspects of the project, for which Government and Government Departments have responsibility, and the planning permission and appeals aspects which are clearly the responsibility of the planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála respectively.
Forbairt investment in the project was approved by Government on 15 December 1994. Approval was subject to a number of conditions including environmental aspects, which were required to be dealt with in the appropriate manner, that is, by the planning process.
While the Minister for Enterprise and Employment has responsibility for industrial development in Ireland including the development of the saw-milling and downstream industries my Department was involved in the proposal in so far as the supply of raw material was concerned. That Department consulted my Department on a continuous basis in relation to this project prior to the Government approval. I am satisfied that the level and extent of consultation with my Department in this particular instance was fully satisfactory and accorded with the responsibilities which fall within the ambit of my Department.
The distinction between State funding and the planning process does not preclude any Minister in discharge of his/her statutory functions from availing of the planning process as would be the right of any other party. In this particular case the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, availed of this right and, in doing so, it was not a requirement that he would consult with my Department.
