Vol. 542 No. 1
52 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the normal processing period for a reclamation application under section 10 of the Foreshore Acts, 1933; his views on whether a fresh application should be considered where a controversial application is not in order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22594/01]
Section 10 of the Foreshore Act, 1933, imposes a requirement for permission from the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources for development of foreshore which is not State owned. That section only allows me to refuse permission for development because of adverse impacts on fishing, navigation or the environment. Where an application for such permission does not contain sufficient information to allow me to make a decision, or where there is a failure to provide an environmental impact statement, EIS, which meets statutory requirements, I must obtain the additional information required or await the publication of an EIS which meets statutory requirements and consider the outcome of public consultation in relation thereto before I can make a decision on the application.
There is no statutory period within which an application must be processed under the Foreshore Acts. The time needed to process an application will depend upon the volume of applications for leases, licences or permissions on hands at the time, the nature and complexity of an application and the outcome of the public consultation process which must be gone through in relation thereto. In a best case scenario there could be a period of five to six months from receipt of a complete application, with EIS where required, to my making a decision.
