Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of discussions between his Department officials in the office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Galway County Council in relation to the replacement of a bridge in Sean a Phéistín, Conamara, in respect of which there is a 1.5 tonne restriction at present; the requirements that have been laid down by his Department to the city council in respect of this replacement; the delay that these requirements will cause to this necessary work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52318/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the weight restriction that has been placed by Galway County Council on the bridge referred to by the Deputy and of the difficulties this has caused for local people. The position is, however, that the requirements in regard to the proposed replacement of the bridge in question arise under the Planning and Development Acts. Galway County Council, as a planning authority, must meet the requirements of planning law, which, in regard to planning and development matters, transposes the EU Habitats Directive into Irish law. This requires competent authorities such as the Council to screen, and where necessary, assess projects such as this one for their impact on European nature sites.

As Minister, I am a statutory consultee under the Planning and Development Acts and, in fulfilment of that role, my Department provides expert advice in regard to the relevant ecological issues relating to proposals such as this. The purpose of that advice is to assist planning authorities in meeting their obligations under national and EU law for the protection of nature. My Department has provided advice to Galway County Council in regard to the proposed project and it is now a matter solely for the Council to ensure that it proceeds in compliance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Acts. I can assure the Deputy that my Department remains available to the Council should it require any further advice or clarification in relation to the matter.