Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2022
41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the procedure for informing the public of the receipt of foreshore applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the development on Ireland’s foreshore is regulated under the provisions of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. The Foreshore Act 1933 requires that a lease or licence must be obtained from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the carrying out of works or placing structures or material on, or for the occupation of or removal of material from, State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest and provides for the removal of any material within the foreshore and not more than thirty feet below the surface thereof.
The Department’s provides guidance on how to apply for Foreshore Consent, the first step of which is to meet with Department officials to discuss the proposal. At this pre-application phase, applicants are advised to ensure they are aware of the validation, screening process, planning, environmental impact assessment, appropriate assessment rules, technical assessment requirements, including public participation requirements and so on. The path which each application takes through the assessment process can vary depending on the nature and scale of the proposed activity or development.
The processing times for foreshore licenses may also vary from application to application depending on the nature of the works proposed, the complexity of the environmental reports to be considered and the nature of the engagement of the applicant with the process overall. Once a completed formal application has been validated by the Foreshore Section details will be published on our website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/. A public consultation will be arranged by the Department as part of the application process in due course.
