Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a foreshore licence application within his Department (details supplied) will be granted; and if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of same. [8547/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is processing two foreshore applications in respect of the proposed Belmullet Sewerage Scheme.

The first application was received from Mayo County Council on 23 June 2008 for a foreshore licence to facilitate the discharge of treated effluent from a proposed waste water treatment scheme at Belmullet. The application was circulated to my Department's consultees in the normal way, and consideration of the application by my Department's Engineering Division and the marine Licence Vetting Committee is ongoing.

The second application, which is in respect of site investigation works in connection with the scheme, was received by my Department on 28 July 2008 and was also circulated to my Department's consultees. Responses from a number of consultees are still awaited, and every effort is being made to expedite receipt of the necessary responses.

Issues raised to date by consultees who have responded were referred to the Council for comment and the Council's response to the issues raised has been referred to the relevant consultees.

My Department is aware of the urgency of the case and every effort is being made to expedite consideration of the applications.