John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The legislation is being developed and is at an early stage. It is extremely comprehensive. The original legislation dates from 1933. The Department is dealing with quite a number of outstanding issues. That is not in the main body of our current work but I hope we can give it priority in the new year. A foreshore licence can only be issued if it is in the public interest.

The current processing of a foreshore application includes the assessment of the application by the Department's internal technical advisers and, where necessary, the marine licence vetting committee which advises on scientific matters; consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees, including the relevant Departments and agencies; a period of public consultation, which is normally 21 days; valuation of the site to be occupied by the applicant and other public interest elements which may arise in particular cases; obtaining the necessary legal advice; and Department of Finance sanction, where appropriate.

I can give the Deputy some idea of the number of foreshore cases we have inherited from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. There are 700 foreshore cases following the transfer of functions and full caseload analysis was undertaken to determine the status of the cases.

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