Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 May 1991

Vol. 409 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sand Removal Licence.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

51 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine if he will clarify the present status of a licence granted to the University of Milan to remove sand from a beach in Roundstone, County Galway; if, having regard to the strong opposition from local people, he will rescind the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

52 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine if he will confirm that a licence was issued to the University of Milan for the removal of 30 tonnes of sand for research purposes from Gurteen Beach in Roundstone, County Galway; the reason no notice was put in the newspapers that a licence was sought and also the reason that the local population were not informed of the decision to grant the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.

I should explain to the Deputy that my Department receive each year a significant number of applications for the removal of small amounts of sand from the State foreshore. The long established procedure in relation to the processing of such applications is that the local authority concerned are asked for their advice and, if there is no objection, such licences are normally issued. The local authority have, of course, primary responsibility for coast protection and would be aware of local circumstances. It is not the practice to give public notice regarding such proposals or the issue of such licences.

In this particular case, when the application was received, it was referred to Galway County Council in writing and a written response was received indicating no objection to its issue.

A licence was accordingly issued by my Department to a firm in Carna, County Galway, on 22 March 1991. This firm was acting on behalf of the Italian State electricity company and their licence permitted the removal of 30 tonnes of sand from the State foreshore adjoining the townland of Errisbeg West, County Galway, i.e. the bed and shore of the sea below the line of high water of ordinary or medium tides. For the Deputy's information, the University of Turin is associated with this project.

The licence was subject to the further conditions that it terminates at end-May 1991; the sand was to be removed evenly from the surface so that no holes are left; and removals were to be made by hand shovel only in the area designated by the licence.