Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the date the decision was taken to grant Leader funding to a marina (details supplied) in County Westmeath; who was involved in the decision; the date on which the money was released, given that Westmeath County Council was aware from early 2012 that the marina was an unauthorised development and the first enforcement order for the marina was signed in November 2012. [41036/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views that it is acceptable that Leader funding be granted to an unauthorised development (details supplied) in County Westmeath that was built mainly outside the Waterways Ireland jurisdiction line, therefore built on property owned by the people of Ireland; and if he is aware that the area in question is a special protected area and a special area of conservation, which statuses have been ignored by the developers of the marina. [41037/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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237. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that a company (details supplied) in County Westmeath is running as a full commercial business on property it does not own and does not have the right to run a commercial business on or out of; that Waterways Ireland, the relevant authority, has been aware of this for four years, has not done anything about it and does not seem to want to do anything about it; and if this is of concern to him. [41038/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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238. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department has had any communication with the owner of a marina (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding its sale of lands which it does not own, but which is owned by Waterways Ireland, in trust for the people of Ireland; and if he has not, if he will investigate this matter and act, if untoward activities are being carried out at the location. [41039/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 238, inclusive, together.

Westmeath Community Development Ltd. are contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) in Westmeath and are the decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. This is in line with the ‘bottom up’ approach to rural development. The decision to award funding to the project referred to by the Deputy was taken by Westmeath Community Development Ltd. on the 29 March 2012, with funding of €13,387 paid on 26 July 2013.

The provision of LEADER funding is subject to compliance with both EU and national regulations and rules at all times. As stated previously, the project in question involved a feasibility study, which, inter alia, examined the project promoter’s existing business and potential business opportunities. No funding was provided for the development of the marina per se. Accordingly, I am satisfied that the enforcement order from Westmeath County Council was not breached by the LEADER funded project.

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not been in contact with the owner of the Marina in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy. Westmeath County Council is the relevant authority with responsibility for the enforcement of planning regulations. I am advised that it has been in correspondence with both Waterways Ireland, as owner of the foreshore, and the operator of the marina in question, in relation to the development that has taken place there.