Public consultation on Ireland’s first National Marine Planning Framework

The National Marine Planning Framework draft consultation launched (12/11/19) seeks public comment on planning objectives and policies relating to sixteen different sectors/activities. These include renewable energy, fisheries, ports, harbours and shipping, safety at sea, sport and recreation, tourism and telecommunications.

The plan outlines the government’s proposed approach to managing Ireland’s marine activities to ensure ‘sustainable use of marine resources to 2040’ in a single framework that brings together all marine-based human activities.

Launching the report, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Damien English, said the oceans supported some of the most productive and diverse resources in the world:

“Its ecosystems and biodiversity make it an environmental and social treasure.”

Increasing challenges

As marine and coastal areas experience growing pressures from human activity “it is critical that we provide a framework for what activities should and shouldn’t happen” in these areas, he said.

He described climate change as the “defining challenge of our generation” and highlighted the “critical role of marine planning” to deliver offshore renewable energy, identified in government’s Climate Action Plan published earlier this year.

The Marine Planning Policy Statement, also launched today, outlines government’s vision for future development of the marine planning system. It sets outs overarching policies and principles that marine planning and public bodies will be expected to observe.

“Whether you are in the energy sector, a fisherman, want to protect our marine environment, or live in a coastal community and are concerned about your area’s future, please have your say before February 28,” Minister English stressed.

The finalised NMPF, expected to be adopted in late 2020, will be a decision-making tool for government departments, State agencies, regulatory authorities and policy makers regarding decisions on planning applications, policies, projects and strategies and will run parallel to the National Planning Framework for terrestrial planning and development over the next 20 years.

Key elements

  • preference will be given to proposals for offshore wind farms (including enabling projects and infrastructure) in areas identified as designated zones for offshore wind, under the zoning process to be set out in the Marine Planning and Development Bill
  • a single State consent system for the entire maritime area, replacing foreshore leases and licences which are limited to the territorial sea
  • legislative provisions for a system of designation of Strategic Marine Activity Zones. It is envisaged that any government minster will be able to bring forward proposals for designation of one of more zones with decisions to adopt a zone to be made collectively government
  • commitment to regional or sub-national plans in future planning cycles

 

 

 

 

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