All of the information to date is that despite the elaborate registration and public advertisement provisions, the objects of the Act are not working and that the operation of unauthorised quarries is increasing and that the regulations are simply going to be used to give retrospective legality to unauthorised sites. No provision has been put in place or no resources given to local authorities to establish that the information presented by applicants in their registration forms is independently assessed and validated as correct. A large number of applications are fraudulent in claiming either that quarries or defined areas of quarries have established pre-1964 or later planning permission status. This is done simply by claims or statutory declarations made by applicants. Local authorities are not vetting or examining this information, e.g. by examining old Ordnance Survey photographs, and therefore allowing fraudulent applications to be accepted.

Unauthorised seashore quarry near Sneem, Co. Kerry

For many major unauthorised quarries or quarries which increased in size beyond pre- 1964 levels, notices are being issued to lodge a planning application and EIS which then will be awarded with a consent with conditions.

Meanwhile, while an illegal quarry operator is going through this process or preparing and lodging a planning application and EIS, there is nothing to prevent the continued operation of the quarry and more farcically the purchase of materials by the council itself. 

What can I do if there is an unauthorised quarry operating in my area?

Quarries and Ancillary Activities DoEHLG Guidelines for Planning Authorities