Written Answers Nos. 193-197
193. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the regulations that she has laid down on the cleaning of rivers, if she will review these regulations, given the recent flooding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45487/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. These Directives ensure the protection of endangered habitats and species, which have been selected for conservation within Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas. These Directives have been transposed into Irish law, primarily through the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
Under these Regulations, my consent, as Minister, may be required in some instances for alteration to the bed or banks of watercourses and waterbodies. However, in most cases, such works require the consent of other authorities, such as the Office of Public Works. In undertaking or consenting to works, the relevant authorities must comply with the legal obligations of the relevant EU Directives, as transposed into Irish law.
In the exercise of their functions, all public authorities have a responsibility to ensure the conservation of protected habitats and species and to ensure Ireland’s compliance with its legal obligations.
In order to address the legal complexity, my Department worked closely with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Office of Public Works, local authorities and other agencies of the State that have responsibilities regarding those Directives and Acts to address as expeditiously as possible the steps that needed to be taken to address the damage caused by storms and flooding in late 2013 and 2014. This led to the publication of a “Guide to Works and Development Consents for Repairing Infrastructure Damaged in Storms or other Emergency Events ”. This guide was published in early 2014 by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Planning, with input and advice from several Departments, including my own Department.
In the context of the recent floods, my Department has been attending the meetings at the National Emergency Coordination Centre to contribute, as appropriate to the response.
194. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions she has had with agencies of her Department and the Office of Public Works in relation to the management of the River Deel, County Mayo, and on to the presence of freshwater mussels therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45488/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy may be referring to a proposal to develop a flood alleviation scheme on the River Deel. This Scheme is being developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). The proposed development is located within and adjacent to a European site and various protected habitats and species therein are protected under Irish and European law, including the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.
The planning and environmental team acting on behalf of the OPW contacted my Department in 2014 seeking a consultation on the environmental assessment requirements with regard to this project, including an Environmental Impact Assessment scoping. My Department provided observations and information in relation to the environmental assessment requirements, including in respect of the Natura Impact Statement, which must be prepared in order to facilitate the undertaking of an Appropriate Assessment by the relevant consent authorities in due course. My officials met with the project team earlier this year to assist them further in their preparation in this regard.
In the context of the recent floods, my Department has been attending the meetings at the National Emergency Coordination Centre to contribute, as appropriate to the response.
195. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an raibh an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil i dteagmháil léi maidir le forbairt na Cé in Inis Oírr, ó tharla go ndúirt sé liom ar an 6ú lá de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair agus ar an 8ú lá de mhí na Nollag go mbeadh sé ag dul i mbun comhráití léi i dtaobh na ceiste seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45612/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go raibh plé iomlán agus fiúntach agam le grúpaí éagsúla ar Inis Oírr nuair a thug mé cuairt ar an oileán sin ar 10 Nollaig. I measc na nithe a pléadh, bhí forbairt na cé ar an oileán, an tseirbhís aeir, cúrsaí iascaireachta agus saincheisteanna eile a bhaineann le saol na n-oileánach. Tá oifigigh ó mo Roinnse i dteagmháil leis an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil maidir le forbairt na cé ar Inis Oírr. Mar is eol don Teachta, ar ndóigh, is cúram do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe cé Inis Oírr.
196. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a bhfuil sé i gceist aici go gcasfaidh an tAire Stáit McHugh le hionadaithe ó phobal Inis Meáin, mar atá geallta aige, chun forbairt Ché an Chalaidh Mhóir a phlé leo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45614/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, is cúram do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir ar Inis Meáin. É sin ráite, tá mé sásta, ar ndóigh, bualadh le toscaireacht ón oileán maidir leis an gcé ach dáta do chruinniú dá leithéid a aontú leo. Tá sé sin curtha in iúl agam d'ionadaithe Inis Meáin.
197. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan in respect of the purchase of bog under the cessation of turf cutting scheme; if this application will be finalised without further delay as it has been ongoing for years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45622/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question applied to sell his interest in land within a raised bog special area of conservation, under the voluntary bog purchase scheme administered by my Department.
The applicant has applied to sell both freehold title and a turbary right. My Department, in conjunction with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, has been investigating the position in relation to the turbary right.
The Chief State Solicitor’s Office has been in contact with the vendor’s solicitor regarding the turbary right and a reply is awaited. My Department will ask that Office to contact the solicitor again and will also advise the applicant of the current position in relation to the sale.
