Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1630. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the Minister or Ministers with responsibility for appropriate assessment in compliance with the appropriate assessment EU directive relating to foreshore lease licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35241/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI, as Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, have responsibility for regulating the use of the foreshore in Ireland in accordance with both the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, and any applicable European environmental legislation, including the EIA and Birds and Habitats Directives.
During the course of assessing an application for a foreshore lease or licence a technical evaluation is undertaken, by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC), of the application and its supporting documentation, together with any submissions received during the public and prescribed bodies consultations and the applicants responses to same. The evaluation also includes Appropriate Assessment Screening under the Birds and Habitats Directives to determine the requirement for a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).
