Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Ministerial role in respect of the environment regarding the operations detailed in Marine Notice 43 of 2022 that was issued by the Department of Transport on 1 July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38220/22]
View answerAs Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications I have no role or function in this matter.By way of background, my Departmental officials have liaised with colleagues in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, who have advised that the work detailed in Marine Notice 43/2022, issued by the Department of Transport, related to an intention by Lir Offshore Array to conduct geophysical survey works as part of a scientific data gathering exercise. Grid references provided in the Notice indicate operations are entirely outside of the 12 nautical mile limit. This would mean that a licence could not be granted by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Foreshore Act 1933. No consent was granted by that Department under that legislation or the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (SI 477 of 2011). The Marine Notice does not specify the precise nature of the works.
