Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 4

Written Answers. - Land Reclamation.

Ivor Callely

Question:

83 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has sought the views of Dúchas with regard to a company's (details supplied) proposal for reclamation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3779/02]

Ivor Callely

Question:

85 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the applications by a company (details supplied) under the Foreshore Act, 1988, which have been refused; the basis of such refusals; the public consultation process which has taken place on the most recent application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3781/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together.

Given the large number of applications under the Foreshore Acts on hands in respect of major infrastructural projects and the limited staff resources available to deal with them, I could not justify going back over the records of 70 years to establish the number of applications received from the company in question and the decision in each case.

As the Deputy is aware, the environmental impact statement, EIS, submitted by the company with its last application for permission to reclaim 21 hectares of its own foreshore in Dublin Port was rejected because it did not meet minimum statutory requirements.

Notwithstanding the fact that the application and EIS were the subject of statutory public consultation for the statutory period of one month, which ended on 1 November 1999, no further consideration can be given to the application until such time as a new EIS, meeting statutory requirements, is produced. A fresh period of public consultation would commence on publication of such a new EIS. I understand that the company has been in consultation with local groups since the rejection of the EIS referred to but I have not been advised of the detail or outcome.

It is a matter for the company to decide whether or not to proceed with its application. Until such time as the company in question submits a new environmental impact statement giving,inter alia, precise details of what is proposed, including details of proposed end use, construction methods and materials to be used and outlining the anticipated environmental impacts and proposed mitigation methods, I have no basis on which I can seek the advice of Dúchas. If an EIS is submitted, my Department will seek the views of Dúchas, as is its normal practice in respect of applications received under the Foreshore Acts. No new EIS has as yet been submitted to my Department in relation thereto.