Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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342. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to works undertaken at a quay (details supplied) in County Galway; if a foreshore license was required for the work undertaken; if one was sought and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23165/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The pier referred to by the Deputy is in the ownership of Galway County Council. The Council has advised my Department that the pier was in a state of serious collapse and posed a real and significant danger to all those who used the pier.

My Department did not receive an application for a Foreshore consent in relation to the works in question and a legal question has arisen as to the requirement for such a consent in all the circumstances that prevailed including, but not limited to, whether the structure in question pre–existed the 1933 Foreshore Act.

My Department is currently examining this matter in conjunction with its legal advisors.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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343. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to works undertaken at a quay (details supplied) in County Galway; if officials of his Department or agencies under his remit have expressed concerns in relation to possible heritage, aesthetic or visual impact of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23167/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I previously answered a very similar question on this matter for the deputy on the 27^thof May. My Department does not have responsibility for the quay at Seanchéibh, which is owned by Galway County Council. Full responsibility for its development, repair and maintenance, rests with that Local Authority.

My Department does, however provide funding for the small scale development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

When funding is made available it is done so on the basis of the project specifications set out by the local authority who are wholly responsible for the design of the works. The actual works, including ancillary works, are carried out by the local authority themselves. In addition the Local Authority itself is fully responsible for ensuring that permits relating to the project, including planning permission, foreshore licence etc. are in place, as appropriate. Other issues aligned to the implementation of the project such as heritage and aesthetic issues are matters solely for the Local Authority.

I would therefore direct the deputy to contact the Local Authority in the first instance with regard to this matter. It can also be pursued further with the Local Authorities’ parent Department, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.