Vol. 535 No. 4
80 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on the need for his Department to interact more with local authorities to devise integrated plans both for rivers and coastlines to ensure that development of our waters is co-ordinated and safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12746/01]
Effective arrangements and procedures for the integrated management of the coastal zone, embracing close co-operation with all relevant public bodies, are essential. Priority has been given in recent years to the introduction of new legislation and frameworks in relation to, inter alia, planning and development, aquaculture regulation and dumping at sea, as well as local initiatives such as the Bantry Bay coastal zone charter and co-ordinated local aquaculture management systems. The way is becoming clear to bring forward new frameworks which will focus on the interaction between different sectors, agencies and legal structures with a view to creating a more integrated and holistic approach to coastal zone management. It is the intention, in so far as my Department's responsibilities are concerned, to have legislation on this matter brought forward next year.
