Vol. 482 No. 6
44 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if all required licences have issued for the operation of the single point mooring and tank farm at Whiddy Island, County Cork; if not, if she will give details of the licences which are outstanding; if agreement has been reached with local interests on the operation of the facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18976/97]
I refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave in response to a similar question on 1 October.
While the majority of required licences and permits have been received, I am informed by the Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) that the only outstanding issues remaining to be finalised are in connection with:
(a) a bulk storage licence to be issued by Cork County Council under the Dangerous Substances (Petroleum Bulk Stores) Regulations, 1979, and
(b) Written consent under the Dangerous Substances (Oil Jetties) Regulations, 1979, to be issued by the Bantry Harbour Master.
These two items are interlinked, in that the issue of the written consent by the harbour master is subject to the approval of the firefighting plans by Cork County Council.
As part of the consultative process, INPC held a series of meetings with local interests, and reached agreement on addressing all concerns expressed regarding the operation of the terminal. INPC has contributed to the extension of the Creamery Pier, restocking of the bay, provision of heavy transport for Whiddy Islanders and has established an environmental monitoring group with representatives of other interested parties who use the bay.
