18 Nov 2013, 11:33
The Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will continue its hearings on the Heads of the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2013 tomorrow, Tuesday, 19th November 2013 when it will hear from a number of interested parties.
The Bill has two overarching aims:
• to align the foreshore consent system with the planning system; and
• to provide a coherent mechanism to facilitate and manage development activity in the State’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond the territorial waters/foreshore and on the continental shelf, including in relation to strategic infrastructure projects, such as oil and gas, ports and offshore renewable energy.
Among those attending the Committee meeting are: representatives of Marine Renewables Industry Association; Officials from the Office of Public Works; Coastwatch Europe; National Parks and Wildlife Service; Coastal Concern Alliance; Officials from the Departments of Environment, Community and Local Government and of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Michael McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, said: “Tomorrow, we will continue with our pre-legislative scrutiny of the Heads of the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2013. Essentially, the Bill is intended to provide for a more streamlined development consent process for both the onshore and offshore elements of strategic infrastructure projects, with An Bord Pleanála as the consent authority. At our meeting, we will have an opportunity to get the perspectives of a wide variety of groups on the proposed legislation while members will have a chance to raise any issues they may have on the Heads of Bill.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4 at 12 noon on Tuesday, 19th November 2013. Committee proceedings can be viewed online here.
Media enquiries to:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie
Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).