Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when his Department will complete an environmental impact assessment in relation to an application made to him on 17 February 2007 in the name of a company (details supplied) for a foreshore licence to construct an offshore electricity generating station off the coast of County Louth; when he will make a decision in relation to the granting of the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10632/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A Foreshore Lease application to construct an Offshore Electricity Generating Station was received in the Department on 19 February 2007 from Oriel Windfarm Ltd. The application included an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

In order to determine whether sufficient information has been presented by the developers in their application, a rigorous assessment of the application and EIS is currently being undertaken. Once the Department is satisfied that the application is sufficiently detailed, a public consultation process will take place lasting two months. The commencement of the public consultation will be advertised in national and regional newspapers and on the Department's web site. This public consultation process is likely to begin in early May 2007, should the application be deemed valid.

In considering a project of this size, an extensive list of interested parties will be consulted. Experience of previous Foreshore Lease applications for Offshore Electricity Generating Stations would suggest that this list will exceed one hundred and twenty organisations. The developer will then have an opportunity to address the issues raised by the consultees. A decision in respect of the application will be made as soon as possible, having regard to the level of complexity involved.