Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
324 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he first requested to give his consent to the Drogheda Port Authority to lease the Mornington Port field to Coastwatch Ireland; the reason for the delay in a decision being made; the further reason consent has not been granted to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17439/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2003, Drogheda Port Company applied to my Department for my consent under section 15(3) of the Harbours Act 1996 to the reservation of a rent below open market rent obtainable for land at Mornington, County Meath. The company informed my Department that it had agreed to lease the land to Coastwatch Ireland Limited for 999 years at a peppercorn rent. In October 2003, the company provided further information to my Department relevant to its request.
My Department has not yet completed its consideration of the company's request, principally because the company has indicated that the lease of this land takes place in the wider context of the application to the Boyne Estuary Special Protection Area of the provisions of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. This has given rise to the need for additional consultation which my Department is pursuing at present with a view to finalising the matter at the earliest opportunity.
