Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2023
138. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the status of offshore wind farm applications being processed or processed by his Department during the period 1 January 2018 to 31 January 2023, by applicant, location and status/outcome, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6315/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 is radically transforming the spatial planning and consenting framework for the maritime area. While my Department currently operates the Foreshore Act 1933 that has historically regulated the development and activities from the highwater mark to twelve nautical miles, my Department has not accepted any new Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) development lease applications under the Act since 1 January 2018. This is consistent with the Transitional Protocol agreed by Government in 2020. The purpose of the protocol was to give guidance to the sector regarding the treatment of certain offshore wind projects (“Relevant Projects”) in the context of the drafting of the Maritime Area Planning Bill over that period.
Since then and with the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 Ireland’s first Maritime Area Consents (MACs) have been granted to those Relevant Projects now known as Phase One projects by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with a commencement date of 23 December 2022. These are available to view on that Department's website here www.gov.ie/en/publication/fab8f-maritime-area-consent-mac/#:~:text=View-,Grant%20of%20Phase%20One%20MACs,date%20of%2023%20December%202022.
The MAC is the first step in a new and streamlined planning process set out under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. Developers who have been assessed for, and are subsequently awarded, a MAC can then proceed to apply for development permission from An Bord Pleanála, where the project proposals will undergo environmental assessment. Upon establishment in the coming weeks the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) will have immediate responsibility for managing these Phase 1 MACs. Thereafter, it is anticipated that MARA will commence accepting applications for MACs for further Phases of ORE projects from Q2 2023.
