Vol. 489 No. 3
78 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, being made to convene a meeting on the coastal zone management discussion document as drawn up in 1994; and if this meeting can result in amendments to the document following discussion and proposals from non-governmental organisations in line with the spirit of the Agenda 21 initiative. [7807/98]
The 1994 discussion document referred to must be considered in conjunction with the discussion document and report on Coastal Zone Management — draft Policy for Ireland which were published on 2 December 1997 and were the subject of almost 100 written submissions and of the major public consultation seminar held in Dublin yesterday.
The priority for the Government in the coming months is to decide on the essentials of a national coastal zone management policy and implementation framework, so as to provide a sound foundation for the preparation of detailed local and regional coastal zone managment policies and plans, with the public being enabled to participate fully in that process.
