Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 5

Written Answers. - Planning Regulations.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

156 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the regulations which exist to prohibit or discourage the practice of quarrying adjacent to harbour estuaries, rivers or other waterways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3093/03]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

157 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the register which exists of the number and location of quarries here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3094/03]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

158 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the actions which are or can be taken by his Department against local authorities that transact with businesses, such as quarries, that are not properly licensed or are operating without proper planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3095/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 156, 157 and 158 together.

The development of a quarry is subject to normal planning controls. Section 261 of the Plan ning and Development Act 2000 provides for new additional controls on the operation of quarries. This provision is intended to ensure that all quarries, including those operating since before the introduction of the planning code, are subject to a modern planning and environmental assessment system. Under that section the owners or operators of quarries over five years old, whether subject to planning permission or otherwise, will be required to register details of the quarry with the planning authority. If necessary, additional planning controls can then be applied to those quarries.

I intend to commence this section shortly following publication of draft planning guidelines in relation to quarries which are at an advanced stage of preparation. The planning guidelines will, among other things, deal with best practice and mitigating measures when proposals are made to locate quarrying development near waterways.

Local authorities are independent statutory bodies and, while they operate within a framework of legislation and statutory regulations, they are not subject, as a general rule, to direction or sanction by the Minister of the Environment and Local Government in specific matters.