Tuesday, 6th July 2021
The Government has published a draft of the Maritime Area Planning Bill, which will overhaul Ireland's legislative framework for planning, development management and enforcement in Ireland's maritime area.
The Bill provides for new consenting processes for foreshore licences and planning permission for offshore infrastructure projects, as well as creating a new regulatory authority and a regime for designating protected marine areas. This ambitious legislation provides a comprehensive mechanism for the consenting of offshore renewable energy projects in a way that complies with European environmental assessment obligations, facilitates public participation and gives Ireland a realistic chance of meeting its 2030 climate change targets.
