asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the appeal by An Taisce against the granting of planning permission by Clare planning authority for an oil refinery on the Clare bank of the lower Shannon river.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Oil Refinery.
23.
There are separate planning appeals by An Taisce against decisions of Clare County Council to grant outline permission for oil refineries at two different locations on the Clare side of the Shannon Estuary in my Department at present. The appeals are being considered and I hope to give a decision on them at an early date.
Would the Minister state the Department's policy in regard to this type of objection? There seems to be a concept favouring affluent living when any worthwhile project is mooted. In view of the employment that would be created by such an enterprise, would the Minister state his Department's policy on this type of activity, particularly in view of the fact that we have not seen any increase in employment yet since the change of Government.
I want to help the Deputy but I must point out that he is broadening the scope of the question.
Deputy Fitzgerald can be assured that in any case where employment is affected, my personal view is that, unless there is a major reason why it should be refused we should grant such permission but that does not mean that I propose to grant permission to every fly-by-night who says he is going to give employment in this country and I should not be taken as being prepared to do so. The matter to which the Deputy referred is getting very favourable consideration and a decision will be given in the very near future. I have in mind what Clare County Council did in this case.