I presume the Deputy is referring to correspondence dated 20 November 2000 which the Wicklow county manager addressed to the Department of the Environment and Local Government and which was copied to my Department. The correspondence outlined a profile of the project currently being promoted by Wicklow County Council which involves development of the Greystones Harbour and north beach area involving, among other things, a marina, coastal protection works and a residential development.
I understand the council, in copying the correspondence to my Department, has made specific proposals for changes in the tax code by the Minister for Finance which the council believes will assist in attracting financial backers whose participation is crucial to the project's success. In particular, these proposals are aimed at amending current tax incentive schemes to include marina developments and coastal protection works approved by my Department. At present my Department's role in approving coastal developments is confined to issuing foreshore leases under the Foreshore Acts, 1933-88. The foreshore lease focuses primarily on the physical effect of the development and involves consultation, planning permission and a public notice process.
The general direction for marine tourism development for the next six years is set in the national development plan and more specifically the marine tourism grant scheme which will be administered by my Department. The grant scheme, which is currently being developed in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation for launch later this year, will be targeted at improving marine tourism access infrastructure and encouraging integrated development and co-operative partnerships, particularly in relation to networks and clusters.
While I would generally support the project being promoted by Wicklow County Council, particularly as it appears to be broadly in line with the criteria my Department will set down under the forthcoming scheme, nevertheless, I must stress that the proposals put forward in relation to amendments to the tax code are entirely a matter for the Minister for Finance. My Department has no role in pursuing such proposals. It has, however, indicated to the Greystones Harbour Plan Liaison Committee that it will be happy to look at any draft terms of reference which might be drawn up for a tax implications study aimed at examining this issue more closely, focusing in particular on the inclusion of elements in such projects which meet public policy objectives such as coast protection.