Darragh O'Brien

Darragh O’Brien, the minister for housing, local government and heritage, said the Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021 will represent “a giant leap forward towards meeting our ambitious climate action goals and targets”.

The new marine planning system will be underpinned by a statutory marine planning policy statement, guided by the National Marine Planning Framework.

The new regime will consist of a development management regime from the high water mark to the outer limit of the State’s continental shelf. Planning permission will be administered by An Bord Pleanála and the coastal local authorities.

State consent, i.e. maritime area consent (MAC), to enable occupation of the maritime area will be regulated by a new agency called the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA).

MARA will also be responsible for licensing the majority of licensable activities within the maritime area as well as enforcement of MACs and planning consent issued by An Bord Pleanála.

Ireland’s maritime area is seven times the size of its landmass. When the seabed is included, Ireland is one of the largest EU countries. Its 7,500km of coastline is longer than that of most EU countries. Seventy-five per cent of Ireland’s population live in coastal counties.

Commenting on the bill, Mr O’Brien said: “My Department is leading an extensive marine management reform programme, the likes of which the State has never seen.

“The Maritime Area Planning Bill, which Cabinet has approved, is further evidence of this government’s intent to modernise the State’s approach to marine management. It will represent a giant leap forward towards meeting our ambitious climate action goals and targets.”

Environment minister Eamon Ryan added: “Ireland’s ocean area is home to an amazing array of marine life. Our offshore wind resources represent a real opportunity for us to break free from fossil fuels and reach our ambitious climate goals.

“My department has been closely involved in the development of this legislation, which will create a streamlined planning and consent regime. We are determined that as we develop our resources, we do so in a way that protects and restores our marine environment and its biodiversity.”