Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 2

Written Answers. - Foreshore Licences.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

70 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will issue a foreshore licence to Waterford County Council regarding the proposed new sewerage scheme for Cheekpoint, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28677/01]

Austin Deasy

Question:

72 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress which has been made regarding the issuing of a foreshore licence to Waterford County Council for the provision of a sewerage scheme at Cheekpoint, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 72 together.

I refer the Deputies to the response I gave to earlier questions – No. 80 of 28 June 2000, No. 15 of 23 November 2000, No. 151 of 20 March 2001 and No. 56 of 8 May 2001. The position is unchanged.

Until the council indicates that it is prepared to accept a provision for the retrofitting of tertiary treatment I cannot, in the interests of human health and the livelihood of local fishermen, approve the application. The polluter pays principle must apply here and, in addition to the health issues, I also have to consider the impact on the livelihoods of the fishermen.

I wish to reiterate that I would be happy to facilitate a meeting between officials of my Department, Waterford County Council and the Department of the Environment and Local Government if required. However, neither I nor my Department has to date received a request from Waterford County Council for a meeting on this issue.