Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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309. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government , further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 28 September, the details of both the approved application and the pre-applications that are currently being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48152/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Details of applications and determinations under the foreshore act, including the relevant foreshore licences granted to Energia, are on my website and can be viewed at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/

One application for a foreshore licence for site investigations linked to the proposed development of a windfarm in the Celtic Sea from SSE Renewables received in 2019 is currently being assessed, and details of this application are available on my Department’s website.

In addition, there are currently eleven pre-applications associated with licences for site investigation activity relating to potential offshore renewable energy infrastructure projects currently being reviewed within my Department relating to the south east coasts. Pre-appplication engagement is without prejudice to the outcome of the assessment process and is conducted to ensure as far as possible that the applicant has considered all potential impacts both positive and negative of their proposal and that the formal application will be as complete as possible.The applicant is expected to undertake stakeholder engagement i.e. pre-application consultations with relevant bodiesrecommended during this stage of the process.

Following the pre-application review process it is envisaged that these will become formal foreshore licence applications under section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 and will be the subject of a public consultation. Details of these applications will be published on my Department’s website with the commencement of public consultations for these cases.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of a foreshore application by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48153/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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A foreshore lease application was received by my Department from Cheekpoint Boat Owners Association to install, operate and maintain a pontoon under Section 2 of the Foreshore Act. The purpose of installing the pontoon system is to provide safe and extended tidal time access for boat and watercraft use at Cheekpoint Harbour.

The application (reference number FS007053) is available on my Department’s website at:www.gov.ie/en/foreshore-notice/29c92-cheekpoint-boat-owners-association-pontoon-and-gangway/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/96eb2-cheekpoint-boat-ownwers-association-pontoon-and-gangway/#applicant-address

The application has already been the subject of a public consultation and I can confirm that the environmental assessment process and review by the Marine License Vetting Committee (MLVC), including environmental and technical recommendations, concluded on 27 September last. The MLVC is a non-statutory multi-disciplinary committee which is convened, as required, for the purposes of undertaking a technical assessment and an environmental assessment of an application under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, and EU legislation.

My Department is currently in the process of making submissions to me for consideration, including the above recommendations, seeking a determination on the lease application for this project.

Officials in my Department are in contact with the applicant and they are available to answer any questions the applicant may have.