Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
510. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding a foreshore licence for a proposal (details supplied) in County Dublin; if there will be an opportunity for public and community consultation in this process; if the highly environmentally sensitive nature of the proposed location will be taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20866/19]
View answerPublic notices concerning this application were published in the “Irish Examiner” and the “Dublin North Gazette” on 28/06/2018. The public display documents were made available at Swords Garda Station and were also available on my Department's website for the required period of twenty one days from 28/6/2018. Two public submissions were received on foot of the public consultation.
The Marine Licence Vetting Committee considered the application including submissions received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, other statutory consultees and the public. The Committee concluded that, subject to compliance with conditions to be set out in the licence, the proposed works would not have a significant negative impact on navigation, fishing, the marine environment or protected species, would not impact on other legitimate uses or users of the foreshore area in question and would not have a significant effect on the qualifying interests of the adjacent Natura 2000 sites and recommended that a licence should be granted.
In consideration of the above recommendation, I approved the granting of a foreshore licence on 16 April 2019. The licence is currently being drafted by the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
Details of the application can be viewed on my Department's website at https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/foreshore/applications/deepsea-fibre-networks-limited.
