Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Energy Resources

11:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will be granting permission for the proposed development of the Oriel windfarm project for Dundalk Bay, in view of the fact that nowhere else in Europe has permission for wind turbines of this size been granted so close to the shore; when he will be making a final decision on this issue; if he has met with any concerned groups regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15100/07]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A lease application under the Foreshore Act, 1933, has been received for a windfarm in Dundalk Bay. The Department's specialist advisors have recently satisfied themselves that the application and Environmental Impact Statement are sufficiently detailed to allow the application to proceed to the public consultation phase of the process.

The details of the public consultation, to commence in early May, will shortly be advertised in local and national newspapers. The public consultation will last for two months and there will be full access to the environmental impact assessment including highly detailed photomontages, which will be available in the Council Offices, local libraries and specialist facilities in the area. The photomontages will give an accurate rendition of the effect on the visual amenity of the proposed windfarm from various local land based viewing points.

Objections made during the public consultation phase will be considered from any quarter, such as the general public or concerned groups. In addition, the Department consults widely in relation to the application with various statutory and other bodies, including the local council. The decision to grant or reject the lease application is not time bound and I will make a decision when I am satisfied that I have sought and received observations and objections from all interested and affected parties.

I am not aware of any requests for a meeting on the issue from any concerned groups; however, I am aware that Department officials have been in contact with interested members of the local community in advance of the application being made.

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