Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 163: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason there is no mechanism for the de-registration of quarries, which could lead to ambiguity in relation to property titles and land ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9761/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which commenced with effect from 28 April 2004, introduced a once-off system of registration for all quarries, except those for which planning permission was granted in the five years prior to commencement of the section. Information was required to be supplied within a year, by 27 April 2005. The purpose of section 261 was to give a snapshot of land used for quarrying at that time, to give planning authorities with factual information on the operation of registered quarries and to enable them to introduce new and modified controls on the operations of quarries, where necessary. Accordingly, the issue of de-registration does not arise. The registration process is distinct from the development consent process, in that registration does not affect the consent status of a quarry. Therefore, it has no bearing on title and ownership rights.