Vol. 464 No. 3
156 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine when the foreshore licence for Cullenstown Strand, County Wexford, was applied for; if he will grant this licence in view of the problem of erosion; the matters that preclude him from granting a licence in view of the fact that all matters relating to coastal protection are in place; when he intends to resolve this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8035/96]
Wexford County Council formally sought a lease of foreshore on 21 August 1995 to carry out coast protection works at Cullenstown, County Wexford. Further information sought was supplied by the applicant on 18 September 1995. Certain technical aspects of the applicant's methodology relating to construction of the proposed works had to be clarified before the applicant could be given permission to publish the application for the purpose of public consultation.
Following publication of the applicant's proposal on 24 January last, two objections were received, one from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works. Both objectors called for an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed coast protection works to ensure that they would not adversely affect important conservation sites in the area. I understand that the Office of Public Works originally passed on their concerns to Wexford County Council last August.
In the circumstances, it would not be in the public interest to determine the application for the lease of foreshore at the present time and it is a matter for Wexford County Council to resolve the objectors concerns by meeting the legal requirements of the Wildlife Act and related legislation.
