The developers, Malahide Marine Village Limited, applied for a permit under the Dumping at Sea Act, 1996 to dispose of dredged material associated with the marina development at a site some 35km east of Malahide inlet. Following assessment of extensive surveys of both the dredge spoil and the proposed dump site as provided for under the OSPAR Convention (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) guidelines, the Department's marine licence vetting committee was satisfied that the dumping operation would have no significant impact on the marine environment and permits were duly issued for the period up to 31 March 1997.
Due to bad weather and difficulties experienced with the dumping vessel which proved to be unsuitable for the journey to the dump site, the operation was not completed within this timescale and the operators applied to have the permits extended.