Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
404. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to bring forward new foreshore legislation to update the law in relation to the issuing of seaweed harvesting licences along the coast in view of the potential of this industry, if carried out in a sustainable manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15128/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that the Foreshore Act needs reform and my Department published in January, 2020 the finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland’s new marine planning regime. The commitment in the Programme for Government to enact this legislation in nine months reflects the priority it has been accorded.
Further policy work is continuing on the development of certain aspects of the proposed regime and intensive engagements in that regard are ongoing with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, which is leading the development of the provisions specific to Offshore Renewable Energy. In addition to the policy development work, engagement is also continuing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, other Departments and agencies on the drafting of the legal text.
This new regime will replace the existing State and development consent regimes and streamline arrangements on the basis of a single consent principle i.e. one state consent (Maritime Area Consent) to enable occupation of the Maritime Area and one development consent (planning permission), with a single environmental assessment. It provides reinforced provisions for forward planning under the National Marine Planning Framework and new powers and provisions in relation to enforcement and compliance.
