The Department has responsibility for the granting of Dumping at Sea Permits in accordance with the terms of the Dumping at Sea Act 1996, as amended by the Dumping at Sea Act 2004. Dumping at Sea permits have continued to be granted and renewed since the introduction of the Statutory Instrument referred to by the Deputy. The issue of dumping at sea permits is now largely confined to the disposal of dredged spoil. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is a statutory consultee in relation to all applications for Dumping at Sea Permits. That Department considers all such applications from an archaeological and nature conservation perspective taking into account the proximity of the proposed aquaculture operation to an area designated, or a candidate area for designation, under the EU Habitats Directive.
All applications for permits are subject to a rigorous assessment of their possible effects on the environment. Applicants are routinely required to submit detailed sediment analyses of the material proposed for dumping, and to prepare impact hypotheses and any other assessments considered necessary having regard to the nature and location of the proposed dumping.
All applications for a Dumping at Sea permits are referred to the Marine Licence Vetting Committee for evaluation. The MLVC is a body of technical, scientific, marine, safety and engineering experts which advises the Minister regarding the appropriateness of issuing a permit in respect of cases referred to it. The Committee's evaluation takes account, inter alia, of all relevant environmental considerations and issues, including the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive and the Regulations referred to by the Deputy, as appropriate. The conditions and requirements attached to a permit would, as necessary, require further monitoring, or specify the times at which, or the manner in which, dredging or dumping may take place.