Foreshore Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023

Thursday, 6 July 2023

Ceisteanna (73)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 21 June 2023, if Ministerial consent in accordance with the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 was sought in respect of the foreshore activity referenced in Marine Notice No. 40 of 2022 and in Marine Notice No. 36 of 2022, and the details of same; if Ministerial consent was granted in respect of the foreshore activity referenced, and the details of any consent granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Foreshore Act 1933 was amended in December 2022 to ensure that Section 2 License consent under the Foreshore Act is now required for this type of activity. However, as outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question number 100 of 21 June 2023, consent under the Foreshore Act 1933 was not required at the time of the Marine Notices referenced.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website provides guidance on obligations under The EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021 and anyone proposing to undertake this activity prior to the amendment of the Foreshore Act 1933 was directed to contact NPWS in relation to their obligations at the time. The NPWS have confirmed that, while they did have communication with the applicant referenced in the above Question at the time, the applicants in this case did not submit a consent application to them for this activity.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 60.