Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreshore Licences.

Ivor Callely

Question:

185 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will outline, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 22 March 2000 in relation to the application for a foreshore licence by Dublin Port Company, the likely timescale if a new environmental impact statement is to be undertaken; if he will clarify the position in relation to recommencement, as referred to in the reply; if the several thousand objections will be taken into consideration in any further foreshore licence application for these 21 hectares by Dublin Port Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1034/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

As I stated in the final part of my reply to the question put by the Deputy on 22 March last, the issue of whether to proceed with the application, which will have to be accompanied by a new EIS, lies with Dublin Port Company. No such EIS has as yet been submitted to my Department. Should the company produce a new EIS a fresh public consultation period and process will commence. Objections and observations, if any, should be in relation to the proposal as outlined in the new EIS. Submissions and objections to the proposal as outlined in the original EIS, which the Deputy will be aware failed to meet with statutory requirements, cannot be considered in the context of a new public consultation process. In the event that I grant permission under section 10 of the Foreshore Act, 1933, which I can only refuse on the grounds of adverse effects on the environment, fishing and-or navigation, planning permission will be required before any reclamation can commence.