Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this matter. I welcome the Minister of State. This is down for answer by the Minister of Transport but, of course, it could equally have been put down for answer by the Minster of State because it relates to issues of heritage, even though greenways fall under the remit of the Department of Transport.

We can agree on the benefits of greenways for their tourism potential, local recreation and the possibilities of commuting to work in circumstances where they are located close to a large town or city. They take cars off the road and reduce the number of car journeys. They are generally good for people's health. They are also generally positively viewed and sought after. I am a big supporter of greenway roll-out and their potential for communities. However, they can be viewed with concern by some people close to the routes or indeed by planned routes. I attended a public consultation and information session organised by Galway County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in the Oranmore Lodge recently in respect of the roll-out of the Ballinasloe to Galway greenway. I have been contacted by a former member of this house, Ms Fidelma Healy Eames, regarding the proposed route at the Middle Third, Maree, Oranmore. The concern locally is that the proposed greenway may interfere with Kilcaimin Bay and cause significant damage to an area that is protected under European habitat directives as a special area of conservation, SAC, special protection area, SPA, and a maritime protection area, MPA. There is concern that the greenway will have an impact on the SAC. This is home to and a feeding ground for an extensive range of birds. There is also concern that it is not suitable due to rising sea levels and erosion, which could cause seaweed to be strewn all over the greenway, resulting in it being dangerous to cycle on and being closed for a considerable part of the year. That is the case with the road at present which is often strewn with seaweed.

There is also concern from people currently living on the shore that they will not have access to the shore in the future. What importance and priority would the Minister of State place on protecting the environment or SAC, SPA, or MPA above and beyond the benefits of the greenway and the construction of the greenway? That is concern locally. In general, people are supportive of greenways, but there are pinch points. There are areas of concern whether it be for farmers, homeowners in any place that would be considered for the construction of a greenway. I believe they are hugely beneficial. I welcome the roll-out of greenways in general across the country. This has not happened without opposition, and we have to respect and take on board people's views as best we can. We are never going to get unanimity or total buy-in regarding cycleways, but where they can be improved through liaison and consultation we can get a better result, that needs to be looked at. A particular issue relating to Kilcaimin Bay has been highlighted. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport. The safeguarding of environment and natural habitats is a hugely important issue. The Government is conscious of fulfilling our statutory obligations in this regard, as well as being committed to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. As set out in the strategy for the future development of the national, regional greenways, greenway routes require environmental assessment in their planning and design and are constructed in compliance with the requirements of Irish and European law, including but not limited to, EU Directive 2014/52/EU. As the approving authority under the public spending code, TII is responsible for funding the planning, design and construction of greenways. TII requires that TII funded greenway projects are delivered in accordance with its project management guidelines.

Phase 3, the design and environmental evaluation of an eight stage process of the project manual for greenway projects, PMG, ensures that projects are carried out in compliance with all appropriate environmental directives and legislation. The form of statutory process may include, but is not limited to the following; local authority own Part 8 Development Section 177 AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and appropriate assessment and environmental impact assessment. Projects are assessed for environmental impacts and any necessary ameliorative changes are incorporated into the scheme and design for a greenway.The relevant local authority will conduct the appropriate assessment screening and environmental impact assessments as required.

In relation to the Senator’s specific query regarding the proposed development of the greenway in Maree, Oranmore, County Galway, I have been provided with the following summary. Some sections of the route in the Maree area near Kilcaimin Bay are constrained due to the existing limited cross-section of the terrain. The section of the route near Maree, Oranmore, can be viewed on route drawings which are available to view and download on the Galway to Athlone cycleway website. The scheme will incorporate a cantilevered boardwalk over Kilcaimin Bay in the Maree area which will provide the adequate width for a segregated greenway while maintaining the existing roadway. The cantilevered boardwalk will be designed in such a manner as to minimise potential environmental impacts on Kilcaimin Bay.

As part of the design and environmental evaluation phase, the entirety of the Galway to Athlone national greenway, including the section of the route near Maree, Oranmore, will be assessed from an environmental point of view. An appropriate assessment report, a Natura 2000 impact statement and a full environmental impact assessment report will be prepared. This will include extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders including the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. These documents will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála as part of a future planning application and it will be for An Bord Pleanála to decide whether the proposed development is in compliance with all appropriate environmental directives and legislation. The Department of Transport is satisfied that this process ensures, first, that any potential environmental impacts are identified early by these rigorous requirements and, second, that any impact that is identified is eliminated or mitigated by design amendments.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I will bring his response back to those who are concerned about the matter. The Minister of State indicated the cantilevered boardwalk will be designed in such a manner as to minimise potential environmental impacts on Kilcaimin Bay, and that is certainly welcome. As he will be aware, there are huge difficulties in the planning process. Galway is particular as regards its environmental constraints. Whether a house is being built, the N59 road is being upgraded or it was the Galway city bypass back in the day, impacts on the environment scuppered plans and have impacted on people's ability to build, including roads. We cannot have double standards for any project. It is important that if a project has an impact on the bay, we have similar rules for a greenway, a road, people's houses or any other project. I welcome the response. We have a long way to go as regards comprehensive studies relating to this project before it can be realised.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I reassure the Senator that he is correct. We cannot have one project that will deliver an environmental benefit but could potentially be injurious to another environmental objective, namely, our habitats. It is critical that a rigorous process is in place to support projects as they move forward. They must go through rigorous screening, environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment before their applications are determined by An Bord Pleanála. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the NPWS also have a statutory role to play in that regard. The resources are available. The Government is ensuring we have adequate resources to support these planning applications. It is a worthwhile project but it is vital that we protect this important habitat.