Red-tape stalls €12m Foynes plan

A €12m development of Foynes Port, announced yesterday, will have to be put on hold for more than two years while the port authority awaits the necessary foreshore licence from a government department.

Planning permission for the development has been granted by Limerick County Council, and MEP Seán Kelly said yesterday it was totally unacceptable that the project, which will provide 150 jobs, has to be delayed more than two years due to bureaucracy.

“All the planning process has been completed, but work cannot begin, because the Department (of the Environment) hasn’t issued a necessary foreshore licence. Unlike the planning process, there is no timeline with the issuing of foreshore licences and it can take up to two years to get it,” Mr Kelly said.