Michael D. Higgins
Question:34 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the EIS report on the River Boyne project will be sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19128/97]
Written Answers. - River Boyne Project.
I assume the EIS referred to by the Deputy is the one submitted to me in relation to the proposed dredging works in the Boyne estuary by Drogheda Port.
This EIS was submitted as part of a foreshore licence application for those works and it is being assessed by my technical staff. The EIS in itself does not require specific sanction by me. It is part of the information gathering and public consultation required for dealing with the application under the Foreshore Acts. Following publication of the EIS recently a number of submissions were received.
I will make a final decision on the application in the public interest when the EIS and the submissions received have been fully considered. In view of the complexity of the issues involved it is difficult to say at this point when exactly I will be in a position to make a final decision on the application.