Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 4

Written Answers. - Marina Projects.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

73 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason no further action has been taken to stop the continuing unauthorised construction works at Fahan Creek, Lough Swilly, County Donegal, since the issue of a prohibitory notice on 8 April 1998. [10334/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

Figary Watersports Development Co. Ltd (FWD) were granted a foreshore lease in April 1993. The company proposed to construct a marina at the site but did not progress the project.

Following a request from the company for a meeting, I met with the promoters on 26 February 1998, to discuss their problems.

Following this meeting, the company commenced work on the project and were immediately requested to stop. The company did not accede to this request or to a further request that work should stop so that a report could be prepared by a consultant structural engineer on the stability of the structures already erected. Accordingly, on 15/16 April 1998, Prohibitory Notices were served on the chief executive officer of FWD and on the contractors.

My principal concern relates to the break-waters the company have erected on the site which, according to the advice of the Department's engineers who have inspected the work, are structurally unsound and vulnerable to subsidence or collapse.

While my approach throughout has been to seek to resolve this matter through dialogue, in light of the non-compliance with the prohibitory notices served on the developers on 15 and 16 April 1998, I commenced the necessary steps to initiate High Court proceedings to stop the unauthorised works. However, earlier today at a meeting with officials of my Department, the company confirmed that all physical works on the marina have ceased. Further discussions are planned for next week with company representatives on the question of making safe those physical works that have already been undertaken and on how the marina development should proceed.