Written answers

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Foreshore Issues

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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374. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered introducing a mechanism for the public to access foreshore licence records, particularly in respect of title, boundary and purpose of licence in order to avoid potential disputes between multiple foreshore licence holders in an area; if he considers such a mechanism to be a worthwhile development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42384/13]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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A foreshore licence does not convey exclusive rights to the foreshore concerned. Other activities may also be licensed in the same area and licensees do not have the right to interfere with the lawful exercise of any other rights or the undertaking of any other activities permitted by law, such as fishing or navigation. As part of a continuing commitment to business process improvement, my Department is currently preparing for the digitisation of all licensed and leased sites and activities on the foreshore. My Department is exploring the opportunities for these data to be available also across other Department GIS initiatives such as ‘MyPlan’ and ‘The Marine Atlas’.

In addition, my Department places a high priority on public access to information during the assessment of foreshore applications. Information relating to applications’ progress is available on my Department’s website and applications are generally subject to public consultation procedures as notified in the local press. Information on the outcome of the application process is published on my Department’s website and includes the main reasons for the decision involved and considerations upon which the decision was based.

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