I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 to 533, inclusive, together.
The breakdown by County of the different categories of foreshore consent applications is set out in the following table.
|
County
|
CSSO
|
On Hold (i.e. progressed as far as is possible)
|
Dormant
|
|
Clare
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
|
Cork
|
35
|
37
|
10
|
|
Donegal
|
9
|
7
|
2
|
|
Dublin
|
9
|
5
|
2
|
|
Galway
|
6
|
8
|
0
|
|
Kerry
|
13
|
2
|
1
|
|
Limerick
|
9
|
1
|
0
|
|
Louth
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
|
Mayo
|
9
|
4
|
2
|
|
Meath
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
|
Sligo
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
|
Waterford
|
6
|
8
|
1
|
|
Wexford
|
14
|
4
|
0
|
|
Wicklow
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
A total of 122 foreshore consent applications that have received ministerial approval are currently with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) for drafting of the necessary legal agreements. Of these 122 applications, the longest period that an application has been with the CSSO is since November 2000. In this particular case a draft lease issued to the applicant for execution in January 2001. However, complexities subsequently arose that have delayed bringing the case to a conclusion.
The specific information requested relating to (1) the longest period of time that an application has been progressed as far as possible and is currently on hold and (2) the number of applications that are considered dormant specifically as a result of the Habitats Directive is not readily available. Applications are categorised as on hold for varying reasons such as if agreement cannot be reached on financial considerations or if proposals are under review by applicants. Applications are deemed dormant if applicants have not provided sufficient information to allow a determination that complies with legislative requirements, which may include obligations arising under the EU Habitats Directive, to be made. In general, there can be a number of gaps in the information submitted by applicants. However, the introduction by my Department of a mandatory pre-application consultation process has greatly improved the quality of applications in recent times and resulted in greater understanding by applicants of the requirements.
