Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2012
435 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to a recent application (details supplied) for a foreshore licence, the number of submissions that were received in the public consultation period; the duration that he intends to deliberate on this application; and when he expects to make a decision. [7875/12]
View answerAlmost 700 individual submissions and 4,100 petitions were received by my Department in respect of the Providence Resources foreshore licence application during the public consultation period that ended on 2 February 2012. It is intended to publish the submissions on my Department's website as soon as possible.
The licence application will be the subject of an environmental assessment by the scientific and technical advisors on the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC). Their assessment will involve a detailed examination of the application, related information and issues raised in submissions received from the public and prescribed bodies, and the applicant's responses to those issues. I expect that the environmental assessment will consider potential impacts on European sites, sensitive species, other legitimate uses within the area the subject of the application, and navigation issues.
I will make a determination on the application in due course taking account of the recommendation of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee and my Department.
