Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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345. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when dredging will commence at Magheroarty Pier, Magheraroarty, Gortahork, County Donegal; the reason this application has taken so long to be processed; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the delay in dredging is having on the local fishing fleet (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54598/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The foreshore licence application for proposed dredging works and beach nourishment at Magheraroarty Pier in County Donegal is currently being considered by my Department. The assessment of the applications for a foreshore consent involves several steps; including public and prescribed bodies consultation, environmental assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Birds and Habitats Directive in particular, a technical review by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC) and a consideration of public interest matters.

While, it would not be appropriate to comment in detail on an application that will come before me for decision, I can confirm that a determination was recently made in relation to the Appropriate Assessment Screening element of the process, which concluded that the proposed dredging works is likely to have significant effect on Ballyness Bay SAC in view of the sites conservation objectives. Therefore an Appropriate Assessment is required in this case.

Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended, a further public consultation is required to be held for 30 calendar days. Arrangements are currently being made to carry out this public consultation.

When this process is complete, the application will be referred to the MLVC for technical and environmental assessment. The MLVC report will inform the Appropriate Assessment determination in this case, which will be followed by a comprehensive submission to me for consideration, seeking a determination on the foreshore license application. The submission will consider all issues raised during the assessment process, including the observations and comments made by the public and prescribed bodies during the consultation process.