Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the foreshore licence for the proposed sewerage scheme at Cheelepoint, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28003/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to his previous question in this matter (5591/05) it was necessary to put the revised proposals received from Waterford County Council for the storm water overflow pipe element of the overall scheme to public consultation and to have the submissions received, together with the County Council's responses to them, examined by the Department's Engineering Division. It was also necessary to put the matter before the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC), an expert group that advises me on proposals of this nature. As I previously indicated to the Deputy, the issues to be considered by the Committee in this case included possible impacts on fishing and fisheries, as well as possible implications for the navigation channel for the port of Waterford.

I am advised that the MLVC has examined the issue thoroughly with particular reference to shellfish growing areas downstream from the overflow pipe, and that it has approved draft specific conditions for this revised scheme. These conditions have been notified to the Council.