Vol. 523 No. 1
226 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the results of his Department's investigations into works carried out in breach of a foreshore licence on a harbour (details supplied) in County Mayo are to hand; the current position in this regard; the actions the Department has taken; the legal action that has been taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19357/00]
My Department has established that some infilling has taken place in Westport harbour and has entered in to correspondence with the Westport Harbour Commissioners on the matter. The commissioners were advised that the deposit of material or undertaking of works, or the disturbance of material, on the foreshore is governed by the Foreshore Acts, 1933 to 1998, which provide severe penalties for anyone convicted of unauthorised deposit of material or undertaking of works on, or unauthorised disturbance of, the foreshore. The commissioners were also informed that any operations or activities not already specifically licensed or permitted under these Acts must cease forthwith and that failure to do so would give rise to court proceedings. My Department is actively pursuing the matter.
