We enclose below the answer to a Dáil question raised by Maureen O Sullivan and it leads us to ask the question WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

Who is responsible for providing the funding for the ongoing harbour works?

Who is responsible for pursuing this funding and taking all the other actions needed to progress the works through their various phases?

Who is responsible for listening to our concerns about various aspects of the works as they unfold and doing everything possible to address all reasonable concerns?

Who is responsible for the excellent quality of the workmanship we see daily on the pier works?

Who is responsible for the long days worked under inclement weather conditions to bring this project forward?

Who is responsible for the uncomplaining efforts by our ferry crews to deliver all kinds of materials for the project to the Island throughout the past two winters?.

Who is responsible for all the hard work accomplished for the most part with cheerful, polite and cooperative demeanor ?

Well, whoever are responsible, Go raibh maith agaibh sounds about right.

Question No.   857   

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil: 
To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:           
  
    
To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that due to delays in the planning process, including an invalidation because of an issue with a planning notice that the works scheduled to be carried out in April to June 2015, in fine weather, on the harbour and pier in Cape Clear Island did not begin until October 2015 storms and bad weather causing difficulties to contractors and workers, and disruption to the residents with a limited ferry service because the work was not completed before the winter, as was the original intention.. 

- Maureen O'Sullivan. 
 

  
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 13th January, 2016. 
  
Ref No: 46845/15 
  REPLY

  
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Alan Kelly) : 


  
Planning authorities are required to determine the validity or otherwise of individual planning applications submitted to them in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000 , as amended, the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2015 ,   while also having regard to Ministerial guidelines issued under section 29 of the 2000 Act. It is a matter,   therefore, for applicants for   planning permission   to ensure that they comply with all statutory requirements in order minimise   the time taken to make decisions on their applications. 
  
Cork County Council has informed my Department that the first planning application i n the case referred to was invalid because of failure to comply with the following   notice requirements prescribed under the Planning and Development Regulations: 

-   Article 239(b): A newspaper notice relating to a planning application accompanied by a Natura impact statement must specify that the statement will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the office of the planning authority concerned ; 
-  Article 19(1)(b) and (4): A site notice in respect of proposed development on a site must generally be inscribed or printed on a whit e background. [ The site notice for this planning application was inscribed or printed on a yellow background , which is a requirement only   in the ca s e of a second application   where   a valid planning application was made within the preceding 6 months in respect of the same   site, or part of the same site . ] 

Maureen O'Sullivan T.D.