Written Answers Nos. 548-572
550. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 9 October 2019, if consideration has been given as to the way in which local authorities can implement the provisions outlined by section 84(5) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 for such families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/20]
View answerAs stated in the reply referred to by the Deputy, Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 was commenced in June 2018 to provide a new statutory basis for affordable dwelling purchase arrangements. Initial Regulations in relation to schemes of priorities were made subsequently and further Regulations are being developed regarding eligibility and other matters.
Under the provisions of section 84(2)(c) of the Act, a household will normally be ineligible for an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement where the household or any household member has previously purchased or built a dwelling for his or her occupation, or for any other purpose, in the State.
However, section 84(5) provides that where a household requires to relocate to a different dwelling or different administrative area or both, section 84(2)(c) will not render a household ineligible where the household had previously purchased an affordable dwelling under Part 5 or under the previous legislative provisions in relation to affordable purchase arrangements (now repealed).
The question of whether a household "requires" to relocate would be a matter for the housing authority to determine under section 84(5). However, the need for any further detail or guidance on this matter will be considered in the context of Regulations to be made in the coming months or in guidelinesto be issued by my Department.
This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. In terms of affordable housing more generally, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of progress to date under existing measures such as the Serviced Sites Fund and the Rebuilding Ireland Homeloan and informed by the input of key delivery partners.
551. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to address the issue of local authorities not taking in charge parts of estates that have a management company in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20929/20]
View answerThe most recent amendments to the taking in charge provisions of the planning code were made in section 37 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 with a view to further strengthening and streamlining the taking-in-charge process.
Residential developments consisting of two or more dwellings that have been granted planning permission under section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) may be eligible (depending on the grant of planning condition) for taking in charge. The taking in charge of residential estates by local authorities is provided for under section 180 of the Act, as amended by the 2018 Act, and is a reserved function of the elected members.
Under Section 180 (1) of the Act, the planning authority is obliged to initiate taking in charge procedures where requested by either the developer or by the majority of owners of the dwellings in question. However, this is subject to the development being completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and in accordance with the permission and any conditions attached to the permission.
Legislation governing the management of multi-unit developments (typically apartment/ duplex developments, gated housing schemes, holiday homes and retirement villages) is addressed by the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice. This Act regulates the ownership and management of common areas, facilities, amenities and services of multi-unit developments, and provides for the establishment of owners’ management companies to manage and maintain such areas and facilities. A private management company, which must comprise the owners of all of the properties in a development, is required to be put in place where there are common areas, structural elements and services and/or any grounds, open spaces, car parking or roadways that are not generally accessible to members of the public (i.e. non-residents or visitors). Accordingly, multi-unit developments, which are operated by private management companies, do not come under the taking in charge provisions.
I have no plans to amend the taking in charge legislative provisions.
552. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the guidelines for planning authorities issued in June 2007 will be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20983/20]
View answerThe Development Management Guidelines: Guidelines for Planning Authorities, which issued in June 2007, are currently being reviewed by my Department. This review is aimed at further enhancing best practice for all parties involved in the development management process i.e. planning authorities, applicants, agents and the wider public who interact with the planning process. It further involves the taking into account of the significant changes in planning legislation and other updates to the planning system over recent years and is consequently taking longer than expected due to other work commitments and competing priorities in the Planning Division of my Department. My Department plans to complete this task in 2021.
560. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if he will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to him in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
My Department uses advertising and public information campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the public’s attention. The advertising campaigns generally comprise traditional advertising methods including TV, radio and print and occasionally, social media. For the purposes of responding to the Deputy’s question, social media expenditure is included under the ‘broadcast’ heading below. The specific details requested by the Deputy are as follows:
2018
|
€9,109.90 |
Rebuilding Ireland Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy |
|
|
€31,834.48 |
Promoting various schemes available to owners of vacant properties |
|
|
€36,934.50 |
Conduct of poll at the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018 Referendum |
|
|
€38,433.03 |
Conduct of poll at the Presidential Election and Blasphemy Referendum |
|
|
€11,933.51 |
Register to Vote Awareness Campaign |
|
|
€13,662.84 |
Register to Vote Awareness Campaign |
Broadcast |
|
€2,091 |
Fire safety campaigns including National Fire Safety Week |
|
|
€305,132 |
Fire safety campaigns including National Fire Safety Week |
Broadcast |
|
€77,527.69 |
Invitation to make submission to the European Parliament Constituency Committee and Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee |
|
|
€6,509.16 |
Online advertising inviting submissions to Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee |
Broadcast |
|
€3,580 |
Nitrates Action Programme |
|
2019
|
Cost |
Campaign |
Method |
|
€39,088.83 |
Promoting various schemes available to owners of vacant properties |
|
|
€38,767.49 |
Conduct of poll at the European Parliament and local elections |
|
|
€16,709.35 |
Conduct of poll at the Bye elections |
|
|
€11,773.95 |
Register to Vote Awareness Campaign |
|
|
€12,300.00 |
Register to Vote Awareness Campaign |
Broadcast |
|
€2,091 |
Fire safety campaigns including National Fire Safety Week |
|
|
€281,346 |
Fire safety campaigns including National Fire Safety Week |
Broadcast |
|
€213,015 |
Fire safety campaigns including National Fire Safety Week |
Production/ Consultancy |
|
€25,859.22 |
Short Term Letting Regulations |
|
|
€17,063 |
Public information campaign for plebiscites for Directly Elected Mayors with executive functions in Limerick City and County Council, Cork City Council, and Waterford City and County Council |
|
|
€22,653 |
Public information campaign for plebiscites for Directly Elected Mayors with executive functions in Limerick City and County Council, Cork City Council, and Waterford City and County Council |
Broadcast |
|
€8,843 |
Public information campaign for plebiscites for Directly Elected Mayors with executive functions in Limerick City and County Council, Cork City Council, and Waterford City and County Council |
Production/ Consultancy |
2020
|
Cost |
Campaign |
Method |
|
€2,194.26 |
Promoting various schemes available to owners of vacant properties |
|
|
€3,000 |
Irish Central campaign for Vacant Homes |
Broadcast |
|
€8,477.85 |
Conduct of poll at the Bye elections of 2019 |
|
|
€23,627.26 |
Conduct of poll at the General election |
|
|
€10,215.25 |
Call for Housing 2020 |
|
|
€2,752.75 |
Call for Housing 2020 |
Production/ Consultancy |
|
€74,622 |
Fire Safety Campaign |
Broadcast |
561. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the body or agency that has planning jurisdiction over the tidal foreshore; the body or agency that has responsibility for regulating boats in this area in particular boats with onboard accommodation; if he will provide a definition of the adjacent area to local authorities functional area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21037/20]
View answerBoth the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, hold responsibilities in relation to the regulation of developments in the foreshore. The appropriate Minister may grant a lease or a licence in respect state-owned foreshore, where it is in the public interest to do so.
Regulation of boats does not come within my remit as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
It would be a matter for each individual local authority to provide a view on whether a development or proposed development was in or adjacent to the functional area. If the Deputy has a particular circumstance in mind, he should make an enquiry to the relevant local authority.
562. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he anticipates local authority housing or loan qualification income guidelines and conditions might be relaxed in order to facilitate those in search of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21055/20]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will also have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society, and this is reflected in the Programme for Government, ‘Our Shared Future’. We will put affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing. Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental homes will be delivered on State and public lands through a number of channels, including by local authorities and the Land Development Agency.
Another measure which supports affordability is the Help to Buy Scheme. As part of the €7 billion July stimulus plan, my colleague the Minister for Finance recently confirmed an enhanced version of the Help-to-Buy scheme. This will allow eligible first-time buyers purchasing a newly-built home – or building one themselves – to claim back up to €30,000 in income tax paid and DIRT on bank deposit interest over the last four years. Full details of the Help to Buy initiative are available at https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx
In addition, following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering was introduced, from 1 February 2018, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range.
Single applicants for the loan must not be earning greater than €50,000 gross per annum. The combined income of joint applicants must not be greater than €75,000 per annum. There are no set minimum income limits; however, applicants do need to have sufficient borrowing and repayment capacity and must be capable of repaying the mortgage in accordance with the statutory credit policy underpinning the loan. These income limits are unchanged from the previous local authority loan offerings.
The new Programme for Government " Our Shared Future" contains a commitment to expand the Rebuilding Home Loan.
In terms of affordable housing more generally, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of progress to date under the various programmes and the input of key delivery partners.
563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which adequate funding and authority remains available to Kildare County Council to purchase and or build sufficient housing units to meet the demand in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21062/20]
View answerThere is a strong and clear commitment in the Programme for Government to increase our social housing stock by over 50,000 over the next five years with an increasing emphasis on homes being built by local authorities, approved housing bodies and State agencies. The Programme for Government also commits us to progressing a State-backed affordable home purchase scheme.
Funding these ambitious programmes will also be a priority for the Government and funding is currently in place, across a range of programmes, to support the work of Kildare County Council and all other local authorities, to deliver social and affordable housing.
A detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report is published by my Department which provides information on new build activity across all local authority areas. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2019 and was published on 14 May 2020. This report includes projects brought forward by Kildare County Council and is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2019-2/.
While Kildare County Council already has a social housing construction programme in train, I am keen that they are proactive in adding to this pipeline and that they advance their existing projects as speedily as possible.
I will outline my detailed plans for affordable housing in the Autumn, taking account of existing measures and the input of delivery partners.
564. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding that has been provided, approved or is available to Kildare County Council to facilitate inner and outer relief roads in Naas, County Kildare to alleviate severe traffic congestion and an alternative to the proposals already put forward by the local authority which did not receive support from the residents directly affected in a negative way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21063/20]
View answerTo support the costs associated with its intended construction of a Naas Inner Relief Road, in October 2017 Kildare County Council was approved for exchequer grant funding of up to €4,500,000 under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). LIHAF funding supports the provision of infrastructure to facilitate residential land banks and allow for the delivery of housing thereafter.
Kildare County Council has confirmed to the Department that a Part 8 planning application for this road was rejected by the Council in mid-2019 and has confirmed that this LIHAF project will now not proceed.
565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding that has been provided, approved or is available to Kildare County Council to facilitate inner and outer relief road and or second bridge crossing upstream bypass bridge in Celbridge, County Kildare to alleviate severe traffic congestion and an alternative to the proposals already put forward by the local authority which did not receive support from the residents directly affected in a negative way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21064/20]
View answerMy Department currently has no funding allocated or project agreement in place with Kildare County Council to facilitate an inner and outer relief road or a second bypass bridge in Celbridge.
Overall responsibility for roads policy and funding is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
566. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he, his Ministers of State and or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if he will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19638/20]
View answerNo private email has been used by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, his Ministers of State or advisers for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government.
567. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings he and his Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date, in tabular form (details supplied). [19655/20]
View answerMeetings the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministers of State in his Department have had since the formation of the Government are listed in the tables below:
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D.
|
Date of Meeting |
Purpose |
|
30/06/2020 |
Video call with Dublin-based EU Ambassadors |
|
30/06/2020 |
Call with Congressman Richie Neal |
|
02/07/2020 |
Call with Norwegian Foreign Minister |
|
03/07/20/20 |
Meeting with Irish Hotel Federation |
|
09/07/2020 |
Meeting with Ed Crosby, Blackrock |
|
06/07/2020 |
Video call with Irish Business Network Dubai |
|
07/07/2020 |
Call with Greek Foreign Minister |
|
07/07/2020 |
Call with Turkish Foreign Minister |
|
08/07/2020 |
Call with US Ambassador |
|
10/07/2020 |
Call with US Secretary of State |
|
10/07/2020 |
European People’s Party meeting |
|
14/07/2020 |
Call with Commissioner Hahn |
|
15/07/2020 |
Video call with Michel Barnier |
|
15/07/2020 |
Call with Michael Gove |
|
15/07/2020 |
Meeting with Michelle O’Neill |
|
17/07/2020 |
Meeting with John Cleary, Penrose Dock |
|
17/07/2020 |
Meeting with Lord Mayor of Cork |
|
17/07/2020 |
Meeting with Cork City Council officials |
|
21/07/2020 |
Meeting in Belfast with First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill |
|
24/07/2020 |
Security Council open debate |
|
24/07/2020 |
Call with Colombian Foreign Minister |
|
27/07/2020 |
Call with Israeli Foreign Minister |
|
27/07/2020 |
Meeting with Stephen McCarthy |
|
27/07/2020 |
Meeting with Niall Grainger, GP Woods |
|
28/07/2020 |
Call with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia |
|
28/07/2020 |
Meeting with Paddy Harte, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland |
|
28/07/2020 |
Call with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations, Mike Russell |
Minister of State for for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D.
|
Date of Meeting |
Purpose |
|
09/07/2020 |
Video call with Civil Society CEOs |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with representatives of Irish Community Organisations in Australia |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with representatives of Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres, Washington |
|
15/07/2020 |
Video call with representatives of Irish Community Organisations in New Zealand |
|
21/07/2020 |
Video call with Consulate Community Partners, Immigration Centres New York |
|
21/07/2020 |
Video call with representatives of Irish Community Organisations in London |
|
23/07/2020 |
Video call with representatives of Irish Community Organisations in Britain |
Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D.
|
Date of Meeting |
Purpose |
|
07/07/2020 |
German Presidency Briefing Event via video conference |
|
08/07/2020 |
Phone call with Lithuania’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Albinas Zananavicius |
|
08/07/2020 |
Phone Call with Poland’s Minister for European Affairs, Konrad Szymanski |
|
08/07/2020 |
Video call with Italy’s Minister for European Affairs, Vincenzo Amendola |
|
09/07/2020 |
Phone call with The Netherland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stef Blok |
|
09/07/2020 |
Video call with Finnish Minister for European Affairs, Tytti Tuppurainen |
|
09/07/2020 |
Video call with Portugal’s Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ana Paula Zacarias |
|
09/07/2020 |
Phone call with Spain’s Secretary of State for the European Union, Juan González-Barba Pera |
|
10/07/2020 |
Video call with Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Hans Dahlgren |
|
10/07/2020 |
UN event via video conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre (via VC) |
|
13/07/2020 |
Phone call with Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with Latvian Parliamentary Secretary, Zanda Kalnina-Lukaševica |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with Blue Star Programme Steering Committee |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with Estonian Under Secretary for EU Affairs, Mart Volmer |
|
14/07/2020 |
Phone call with UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Wendy Morton |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with Czech Republic’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs for European Issues, Aleš Chmelar |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with Slovenian State Secretary, Gašper Dovžan |
|
14/07/2020 |
Video call with Romanian Secretary of State, Iulia Matei |
|
14/07/2020 |
Phone call with German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth |
|
15/07/2020 |
Phone call with Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Kofod |
|
15/07/2020 |
Meeting of the General Affairs Council |
|
20/07/2020 |
Phone call with Luxembourg Minister for Foreign & European Affairs, Jean Asselborn |
|
21/07/2020 |
Phone call with Hungary’s Minister for Justice (with responsibility for European Affairs), Judit Varga |
|
21/07/2020 |
Phone call with Croatia’s State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombic |
|
21/07/2020 |
Video call with Austrian Minister for Europe, Karoline Edtstadler |
|
21/07/2020 |
Phone call with Maltese Parliamentary Secretary Hon Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi |
|
22/07/2020 |
Phone call with Belgian Minister for Justice and European Affairs, Koen Geens |
|
22/07/2020 |
Meeting with Pat Ivory, IBEC |
|
23/07/2020 |
Brexit Stakeholder Forum |
|
23/07/2020 |
Meeting with the out-going Slovenian Ambassador to Ireland |
568. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of his advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19672/20]
View answer570. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the names and salaries of his special advisers; the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19722/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 570 together.
On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act (PMSA) 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines and appointments are subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
569. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of diplomatic personnel from Ireland currently posted overseas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19687/20]
View answerIreland’s network of diplomatic and consular Missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy objectives. The network also ensures efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, support to emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence.
The work of my Department in promoting a more just, fair, secure and sustainable world continues through Mission engagement with multilateral institutions and agencies, including those of the United Nations, and via implementation of the development aid programme (Irish Aid) in partner countries. Activities of our multilateral Missions in New York and Geneva will be of increasing importance as Ireland prepares to take a seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021 for a two year period. Our largest overseas Mission is the Permanent Representation in Brussels which brings together civil servants from almost every Government Department to promote and represent Ireland’s interests in the EU.
Our staff in Embassies and Consulates also make a strong contribution to job creation, exports, tourism and education in Ireland by assisting Irish businesses overseas in close cooperation with State Agencies.
Departmental staff posted from the Department's Headquarters to Missions abroad is set out in the table below.
571. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place with a group (details supplied); if the discussions were in relation to the creation of a new city here for Hong Kong residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20094/20]
View answerAn initial approach was made to my Department in December 2019 by a Hong Kong-based consortium exploring the feasibility of a potential large-scale urban development in Ireland. Officials in my Department have had limited contact with the promoters, who were encouraged to carry out more research on how their ideas might fit an Irish context.
The potential development is at a preliminary conceptual stage and it is understood that the consortium has spoken to contacts in a number of jurisdictions. No arrangements were made for official meetings in Ireland, and no further action has been taken by the Department in this matter.
572. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a flagrant breach of Irish sovereignty off the coast of County Donegal last weekend, when an Irish trawler (details supplied) was warned to leave a fishing area by a UK Royal Navy frigate. [20155/20]
View answer574. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the breach of Irish sovereignty off the coast of County Donegal in July 2020 when a trawler (details supplied) was warned to leave a fishing area by a UK Royal Navy frigate. [20207/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 574 together.
The Government is aware of the report made by an Irish fishing vessel to the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency concerning a UK naval ship conducting an exercise off the North West coast of Donegal.
The location where the UK naval ship was conducting training exercises was not within Ireland’s territorial sea and did not therefore infringe our sovereignty.
In general, is not unusual for naval ships to ask other vessels in the vicinity to move away from an exercise location for safety reasons.
While advance notice of these kinds of training exercises is not a requirement, such advance notice would nonetheless be welcome.
