Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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554. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the regulatory position regarding the machine cleaning of beaches by local authorities, and-or their contractors; if local authorities and-or their contractors must apply for and secure a foreshore licence for the machine cleaning of beaches; if there are particular measures required if the beach falls within a special area of conservation, special conservation area or natural heritage area; his Department’s role in regulating this activity in accordance with the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2014 and other relevant legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38612/19]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The compliance with all relevant legislative or regulatory provisions is a matter in the first instance for the individual, company or local authority undertaking work.

Section 3 of the Foreshore Act provides for the licencing of removal or disturbance of beach material from State Owned Foreshore, the area from the mean high water mark to the seaward limit of the territorial seas, where it is in the public interest to do so. Section 6 of the Act provides for the making of prohibitory orders where in the Minister's opinion removal and/or disturbance of beach material should be prohibited.

Where a foreshore licence is applied for, as part of my determination, I must ensure compliance with the relevant National and European legislative requirements.