Foreshore Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Ceisteanna (494)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

494. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has since granted foreshore consent for the proposed deployment at the marine test site at issue of the SmartBay observatory and-or for any other structure or device, as advertised and presented by the Marine Institute and a company (details supplied) on 21 May at Stiúideo Cuan in An Spidéal, gContae na Gaillimhe; the action that he proposes to take to ensure that no structure is erected by the Marine Institute or related contracted entities without lawful authorisation at the foreshore location the subject of High Court order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29321/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

A foreshore licence was granted to the Marine Institute for a term of 35 years commencing on 16th March 2015 under reference number FS005751 for the purposes of installing three fibre optic cables connecting the Smart Bay Test Site with the mainland at Spiddal, Co. Galway.

Separately, a remitted application by the Marine Institute for a foreshore lease for the testing of scaled prototype offshore renewable energy devices at the same test site is currently being considered following the High Court Order on 05 December 2019 [IEHC 824], under reference number FS006566.

Details of current applications for a foreshore consent made under the Foreshore Act 1933 and of determined applications are available to view on my Department's website at www.housing.gov.ie.