asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, before making an order under the Foreshore Act, 1933, or when applications have been made to him for the making of a lease or an order for the granting of a licence under that Act, he has caused notice of such proposal or application to be published so as to give all persons interested an opportunity of making to him objections and representations in respect of such order, lease or licence; and if he will give details of the occasions upon which such notices were published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreshore Leases.
28.
Before making an order under the Foreshore Act, 1933 or when applications are made to me for the making of a lease or an order or the granting of a licence, under that Act, it is my practice, where the circumstances so require, to cause notice of such proposal or application to be published. Notices are published in all but very minor cases and an inordinate amount of research would be required to enable the details sought by the Deputy to be extracted. If the Deputy would indicate any particular case or cases in which he is concerned, I should be glad to furnish him with the details.
A statement of foreshore transactions under the Act is presented annually to the Oireachtas in accordance with the provisions of Section 20 of the Act.
29.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will give particulars of (i) all leases made by him since the 1st April 1958 of foreshores situated in County Cork, and (ii) all notices received by him since 1st April, 1958, under Section 17 of the Foreshore Act, 1933 relating to foreshore in County Cork.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
FORESHORE ACT, 1933.
Period 1st April, 1958 to date.
LEASES—Co. Cork.
|
Date and Term of Lease |
Lessee |
Particulars |
|
19th March, 1962. (31 years from 21st April, 1959). |
Mrs. Rosanna Keating, Crosshaven, Co. Cork. |
Pier, boatslip, approach walk, ramp and a seawall at Crosshaven, Co. Cork. |
|
27th April, 1962. (99 years from 1st January, 1951) |
Marine Transport Services Ltd., Cobh, Co. Cork. |
Foreshore occupied by two slipways at Cobh, Co. Cork. |
STATE PROPERTY ACT, 1954.
Period 1st April, 1958 to date
LEASES—Co. Cork.
|
Date and Term of Lease |
Lessee |
Particulars |
|
12th January, 1960. (200 years from 10th November, 1959). |
Verolme Cork Dockyard Ltd., Rushbrooke, Co. Cork. |
Foreshore at Rushbrooke, Co. Cork. |
|
9th August, 1961. (31 years from 11th November, 1958). |
Trustees of The Royal Munster Yacht Club, Crosshaven, Co. Cork. |
Renewal of lease of reclaimed foreshore and provision for reclamation of a further area of foreshore at Crosshaven. |
FORESHORE ACT, 1933.
Notices—SECTION 17—Co. Cork.
PERIOD from 1st April 1958 to date.
|
Government Department |
Nature of Proposal |
|
Department of Posts and Telegraphs |
Maintenance of submarine cable between Haulbowline and Spike Island, Co. Cork. |
30.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his attention has been drawn to a recent report (details given) that a German hotelier has rented two beaches at Barleycove, Crookhaven, County Cork, which suggested that the non-national in question now claimed the right to determine whether or not the locally popular seashore known as Barleycove Strand would henceforth remain open at all to the general public, or alternatively the right to restrict, regulate and control the future use and enjoyment by the public of that foreshore; whether he has made, or intends to make, any lease of that foreshore, or if he has received notice of any sale of that foreshore, or notice of any document purporting, or operating, to vest or convey that foreshore, or any right over or in respect of it, to any person; and if, in view of the great public uneasiness and the threat to continuance to the people's free access to the country's beaches, he will make a general statement on the matter.
I have seen the report referred to by the Deputy. The foreshore at Barleycove, that is, the seashore below mean high water mark, is State-owned. I have not granted any lease of foreshore in the area concerned nor have I received any application for such lease nor any notice of the kind specified in the question.
I have certain powers to lease or license or otherwise regulate the use of State-owned foreshore but I have no power whatsoever to provide or regulate access to State or private foreshore over the property of other parties.
I may add that there is no common law or statutory right of general public access to beaches.