Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the time-frame it takes for his Department to grant a foreshore license after the application is received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11643/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Proposals for activity and development on the foreshore vary greatly in terms of their nature, scale and complexity and the time required to determine applications varies accordingly. Changes introduced since the transfer of the function to my Department have impacted on the determination times. Short-term administrative measures which have been developed include:

- Regulations putting a time limit on consultations with prescribed bodies (8 weeks for EIA cases and 4 weeks for non-EIA cases).

- A scheme of prioritisation for all foreshore applications; and

- Development of standard operating procedures incorporating significant streamlining measures.

My Department is currently working on a Bill to modernise the foreshore consent process and integrate it within the planning system.  A public consultation on this recently concluded and I intend to publish the legislation later this year.