Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Alternative Energy Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has received correspondence from a group (details supplied) regarding the proposed offshore wind farm in Dundalk Bay; the consideration she is giving to the submission which was made to her; if she will amend the foreshore legislation; if such an amendment will have been enacted prior to any decision in respect of the proposed wind farm in Dundalk Bay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18581/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The two month public consultation period relating to the receipt of a Foreshore Lease application for the construction of an offshore wind farm in Dundalk Bay ended on Friday, 29 June 2007. Due consideration will be given to all submissions, including any received from the above mentioned group.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Statement of Strategy 2005 — 2007 indicates that procedures will be developed for enhanced co-ordination and cooperation between public bodies on management of the coastal zone. This is in response to the increasing demands and pressures on coastal areas and their resources, and the fact that a wide range of public bodies and agencies have roles to play in managing and regulating various aspects and dimensions of the coastal zone. A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts is proposed in this regard.

It is also intended to commission a consultancy on the future development of coastal zone management in Ireland, which will assist in a strategic review of the legislative framework, structures and procedures that are in place to manage the State-owned foreshore.

I am not in a position to state whether the legislative changes will be enacted prior to a formal decision being made on the above case.

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