Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:356 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the maximum length of time for a decision to be made on the granting of a foreshore licence. [13696/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 March 2012
Ceisteanna (304, 305, 306)
Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:357 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the maximum time for foreshore licence applications to be processed for the Shannon Estuary; and if he will provide the date on which the oldest application was originally received. [13697/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatrick O'Donovan
Ceist:358 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to amend the existing legislation covering the granting of foreshore licences; if he will consider the introduction of a statutory timeframe for a decision similar to that contained in the Planning Acts covering grants of permission, during which a decision should be made or further information sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13698/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 to 358, inclusive, together.
Significant work has been undertaken by my Department to improve the throughput of foreshore applications and to modernise the consent process. The short-term administrative measures which have been developed include:
Introduction of a pre-application consultation process;
A scheme of prioritisation for all foreshore applications;
Development of standard operating procedures;
Guidelines for applicants in relation to engineering and habitats issues.
I have also introduced regulations similar to those in planning legislation putting a time limit (8 weeks for EIA cases and 4 weeks for non-EIA cases) on consultations with prescribed bodies.
Proposals for development on the foreshore, including in the Shannon Estuary, vary in terms of their nature, scale and complexity, and the time required to determine an application can vary accordingly. The incomplete nature of applications and accompanying environmental reports submitted to my Department, and the consequent need to request additional information from applicants, were initially some of the most significant factors which impinged on processing times. With a view to improving the quality of applications, my Department now requires applicants to engage in pre-application consultations which are aimed at raising applicants' awareness of the statutory obligations they must fulfil in lodging an application for consent.
Of the applications relating to the Shannon Estuary area which were received since the transfer of functions to my Department, and which have not yet been determined, the oldest on hand was received in July 2011.
Work on the General Scheme of a Foreshore and Marine Area Bill to modernise the foreshore consent process and integrate it within the planning system is also underway in my Department.