Trevor Sargent
Ceist:5 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, he intends to take to protect Rogerstown Estuary from pollution and encroachment by the adjacent landfill facility.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Impact Study.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:56 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine if he will require that the environmental impact study for Baleally Country Dublin, be prepared by independent consultants, in view of the inadequacy of the study supplied to Kildare County Council.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 56 together. Dublin County Council has submitted applications for land use and land reclamation under the Foreshore Acts in relation to the tiphead at Baleally, Rogerstown estuary, County Dublin. These proposals will be subject to a full environmental impact assessment in accordance with the statutory regulations and the local authority has commissioned a firm of consultants to prepare the environmental impact statement.
I cannot at this stage say what attitude will be taken to the foreshore applications lodged with the Department until the results of the environmental impact study have been considered. Nothing will be decided without full public consultation including publication of what Dublin County Council require in the area concerned and public display of the environmental impact statement. I will of course, consider fully any public views or objections to the proposals submitted by the local authority and any permission granted under the Foreshore Act may include such conditions relating to the protection of the environment as I may specify. I will also consider the views which the Deputy might express during the debate.
Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire as an tsuim atá léirithe aige san áit thábhachtach seo.
It is an area of scientific interest. The Minister has his hand on the tiller in that the decision he makes regarding any proposed extension of the landfill facility at Baleally dump in Rogerstown estuary will impact on the attitude of the local authority and other Government Departments when it comes to deciding on whether or not to take steps to reduce waste.
At the moment, the Department of the Marine is seeking an EIS from Dublin County Council. This problem will be dealt with, with transparency, and full consultation and decision will be arrived at only after that process.
In the context of the EIS, does the Minister propose to take into account the restrictions of the Bird Directive from the EC which has not yet been transposed into Irish law but which would have very important significance considering the importance of the area?
I could be considered an amateur birdwatcher so I am anxious to ensure that our feathered friends are properly protected in the context of the EIS which will emerge.
We will now proceed to other questions. I would remind the House that the remaining time for questions should, properly speaking, be divided equally between questions to the Minister for Defence and the Minister for the Marine. We shall strive to do that.