Vol. 541 No. 4
197 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his policy towards protecting the heritage value of areas such as Bray seafront and its foreshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22832/01]
The protection of heritage is primarily a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Applications to my Department for foreshore leases, licences or permissions are processed in accordance with the provisions of the foreshore Acts and any other appropriate legislation. My Department consults with Dúchas, the heritage service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, before making a recommendation to me.
The Deputy will also be aware that development on the seafront is a matter for the local planning authority while my remit covers the foreshore, that is, the area below the high water level of ordinary or medium tides. Detailed plans for a development involving both the seafront and the foreshore would, in the first instance, normally be a matter for the local planning authority. My Department encourages the widest possible scoping, involving consultation with relevant interests, prior to the development of such detailed plans. The objective is to eliminate or minimise the risk of conflict between the requirements of the planning authority, requirements under the foreshore Acts and other legislation which might have an impact on the proposed development.
