Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreshore Licences.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

123 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding an application for a foreshore licence (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29138/01]

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

I understand that planning permission was granted in respect of the project to which the Deputy refers in March 2001. The related foreshore licence application and accompanying environmental impact statement are the subject of a technical evaluation, which is now nearing completion.

Accordingly, it is expected that the application will go to the public consultation stage by the end of this month. The public consultation process is initiated by the placement of a public notice in a newspaper circulating in the area in which the development is proposed. This provides the general public with an opportunity to express their views on the application within the statutory period of one calendar month from the date on which the notice is published.

When consideration has been given to any comments or objections received, the Department's marine licence vetting committee will make a recommendation in respect of the application. I expect, therefore, that a decision will be reached early in the new year.