Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications for foreshore licences that have issued in the past five years the number of applications outstanding; and the length of time of same. [9301/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act, 2009, my Department assumed responsibility on 15 January 2010 for a range of foreshore functions including all foreshore energy-related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy). Responsibility for foreshore projects relating to aquaculture and sea fisheries remained with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Since the transfer of certain foreshore functions into my Department 46 applications for leases and licences have secured Ministerial approval and 30 leases and licences have been executed. There are 300 active applications for a lease or licence currently on hand. Of these, 60 applications have secured Ministerial approval and are awaiting finalisation of the necessary legal documentation. The remaining applications vary in terms of the nature and size of the project, level of complexity and state of progression through the foreshore consent process. Of the 300 applications currently on hand, 47 were received since the transfer of functions into my Department.