The minutes of the last meeting held on 22nd March 2023 were proposed by Councillor Eoghan O Brien and seconded by Councillor O’Donoghue.

The minutes of the meetings of the 22^nd of March 2023, were AGREED

Presentation given by Mr Ronan O’Reilly on the update of the plan. which was followed by discussion and questions from the members.  

The Presentation was NOTED.

A presentation was given by Mr Paul Smyth on the Draft Harbour ByeLaws 2023. Members were advised that copies of the byelaws are available for public inspection from the 15^th of June to 31^st of July and that the closing date for submissions and observations is the 14^th August 2023. Mr Smyth advised that he will come back to the next SPC meeting in September with the outcome of the consultation. It was also agreed that an invitation be sent to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to attend a future SPC meeting. 

The Presentation was Noted.

“That the Chief Executive submits a comprehensive report on the projected impact from the placement of Coastal Windfarms in waters off coast of Fingal.”

Report:

The Council’s Planning Department do not have experience or expertise in Marine Planning. Therefore, if this motion is passed, the Environment Department will write to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine requesting a comprehensive report on this issue.

This motion, in the name of Councillor C. Boland, was proposed by Councillor C. Boland and seconded by Councillor T. O’Leary.

The report was Accepted.

“That the Chief Executive provides a report on the current position regarding the An Bord Pleanála planning application needed to carry out the permanent coastal protection measures at Portrane and Rush, in locations at imminent risk of coastal erosion and flooding, to report on whether all the necessary environmental and technical reports are now completed by RPS Consultants, to outline when the planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála and the projected timeline for works to commence.

Report:

The Council has engaged specialist engineering consultants RPS to assist with the preparation of planning applications for works to address coastal change in the Outer Rogerstown Estuary.  Significant survey and design work has already been successfully completed.  The current advice from RPS is that they expect to provide draft environmental assessments to the Council in July with a view to having the finalised EIA reports, Appropriate Assessment and Natura Impact Statement reports completed for submission in the planning application in the Autumn of this year.  In an Irish context, the scope and nature of the works proposed in this planning application are unprecedented.  It is consequently impossible to provide an accurate estimate of the timeframe for the conclusion of the statutory planning process.  It is reasonable however to expect that this process will take a considerable number of months to complete.  If planning approval is obtained however, the work already completed on the detailed design of the project would allow for the procurement to commence shortly thereafter.

This motion, in the name of Councillor P. Mulville, was proposed by Councillor P. Mulville and seconded by Councillor R. O’Donoghue

The report was Noted.

“That the Chief Executive provides an updated presentation on the Marine legislation outlining when will the Council prepare a MAP (Marine Area Plan) for our coast and clarity on foreshore licences into the future, to confirm what is the new system and who will grant the nearshore (5-8km) foreshore licences going forward, as my understanding from the original presentation given to this Committee was that it would fall to the Council rather than the Department of Housing.”

Report:

If this motion is passed, the Environment Department will request an update presentation on this issue.

This motion, in the name of Councillor T. O’Leary, was proposed by Councillor T. O’Leary and seconded by Councillor E. O’Brien

The report was Noted.

David Storey spoke about the successful World Sand Dune Day which was held on South Beach in Rush on the 24^th of June and advised there would be information/video on the event on Fingal’s website soon.

Actions

·       Invitation to the new Harbourmaster to the next Marine and Coastal SPC

·       Invitation also to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to future meeting.