Dáil Éireann - Volume 683 - 20 May, 2009

Written Answers. - Foreshore Licences.

Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the long-running delays associated with the grant of foreshore applications have been cleared; if he will confirm that arrangements for the acceptance of independent valuations are in place; and if not, the reason for same. [19980/09]

  Deputy Brendan Smith: Following confirmation by the Valuation Office that it would not be in a position to supply a valuation service in respect of activities on State foreshore, my Department sought approval from the Department of Finance for the use of valuers from the private sector. A number of applications for foreshore consents currently on hand cannot be progressed without valuation. The Department of Finance gave my Department sanction to obtain the services of valuers from the private sector subject to conditions. Private valuers have now been engaged by my Department to provide valuation advice on specific cases and I am confident that this will facilitate an early determination in the relevant cases.

Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 88.