Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the public consultation arrangements that have applied to date in respect of an application for a foreshore licence (details supplied) in County Cork; the consultations he will now engage in when considering the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4385/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The following arrangements for public consultation have been put in place in relation to this foreshore licence application:

- The applicant arranged for the application form and supporting documentation to be made available for public inspection from 15 December 2012 to 23 January 2013 at Togher Garda station, Co. Cork.

- This arrangement was notified to the public by a notice published by the applicant in ‘The Southern Star’ on 15 December 2012. In recognition of the holiday season, seven extra days were added to the standard 21-day notice period.

- The application and supporting documentation have also been available on my Department’s website from 14 December 2012.

- Submissions from the public were invited by post or email. Thirteen submissions were received and will be posted on my Department’s website this week.

The application has also been circulated to all relevant statutory consultees and their responses are currently awaited. To conclude the consultation phase of the process, the applicant will be invited to respond to any issues raised in the submissions received.

The next phase of the process involves an assessment of the potential environmental impact of the application, taking account of all submissions received and the applicant's response to issues raised. This assessment will be carried out by the scientific and technical advisors of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC). That Committee’s recommendation together with the recommendation of my Department will inform my ultimate determination of the application. Notice of my determination of this application and the report of the MLVC will be published in due course on my Department’s website and will include information on how a review of the decision may be sought.