Office of the Parliamentary Counsel

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Questions (112)

Richard Bruton

Question:

112. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the arrangements which have and are being made to ensure that priority access to legal drafters is assigned to the marine planning legislation without which the development of offshore renewable energy will be held back; and if he will outline a timed roadmap for its presentation for consideration by the Houses of the Oireachtas. [37955/20]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Office of the Parliamentary Council have provided dedicated experienced drafting resources to work with my Department officials (together with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications who lead on offshore renewable energy provisions) to ensure that work on the Marine Planning and Development Management bill continues as a priority.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage are scheduled to undertake pre-legislative review of the Bill on the week beginning 23 November 2020.

Following pre-legislative scrutiny, my Department will be working towards having the legal text published early in the New Year.