Written answers

Tuesday, 9 May 2006

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Foreshore Licences

9:00 pm

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the portfolio of foreshore licences and leases, in whole or as part of a consortia or partnership held by a company (details supplied). [17171/06]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the portfolio of foreshore licences and leases, in whole or as a part of a consortia or partnership held by a company (details supplied). [17172/06]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department had discussions with companies other than those who were the eventual licence awardees of the Codling and Arklow bank foreshore licences. [17173/06]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason both foreshore leases were given for generating electricity by wind in the Codling and Arklow banks for 99 years, in view of the fact that the Department's guidelines of May 2001 for intending developers state the maximum period of a lease will ordinarily be 60 years. [17174/06]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 231, inclusive, together.

The company referred to by the Deputy in Question No. 228 does not hold any licences to investigate the suitability of sites for the construction and operation of offshore wind farms, or leases to allow their construction and operation. Its parent company is, however, a partner in the company holding a lease over part of the Codling Bank and a licence over the remainder of the Bank and the outer Codling Bank.

The company referred to in Question No. 229 holds a lease, though a wholly owned subsidiary, over the Arklow Bank to allow for the construction and operation of an offshore wind farm. Phase one of this development has been constructed and is operational.

The particular leases permitting construction of wind farms on the Arklow and Codling Banks were granted on foot of applications made to the Department by the companies concerned. No applications for such leases were made by other parties in respect of the areas concerned.

The Departmental Guidelines "Offshore Electricity Generating Stations — Note for Intending Developers" issued by the Department state that the maximum term of a foreshore lease granted for the purpose of constructing and operating an offshore generating station will ordinarily be 60 years. It was decided, however, in the case of the two foreshore The Departmental Guidelines "Offshore Electricity Generating Stations — Note for Intending Developers" issued by the Department state that the maximum term of a foreshore lease granted for the purpose of constructing and operating an offshore generating station will ordinarily be 60 years. It was decided, however, in the case of the two foreshore leases referred to by the Deputy in Question No. 231, in response to requests made by both applicants on commercial grounds, that the leases in question would be granted for a term of 99 years. This is the maximum term permitted for leases under the Foreshore Acts.

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