Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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238. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his role in preventing temporary encampments at beach locations during the summer of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 200, as amended, set out certain classes of development which are exempt from planning permission requirements. Class 37 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 and Class 1 and 2 of Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provide exemptions from planning permission for the temporary use of land for placing of tents, campervans or caravans or for use by scouting organisations for a camp for limited periods. These exemptions are subject to compliance with specific conditions and limitations and also any general restrictions on exemptions .

Enforcement of planning control is matter for individual planning authorities who have substantial enforcement powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including enforcement matters, with which a planning authority is or may be concerned.

In addition, under the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities also have general powers to make bye -laws regarding its own property or services or to regulate matters of local concern. In this regard, I understand some local authorities have made bye - laws which prohibit or limit certain activities, such as camping, on beaches.