Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses to the meeting. I put on record my thanks for the document on frequently asked questions, which was very helpful. It is a very complex Bill in many ways. I would love to see a dumbed-down simpleton's guide to the Bill because we have to communicate with coastal communities. I think that is really important.

I am not sure whether the witnesses are privy to the briefing paper prepared by the Oireachtas Library and Research Service. I suggest they contact their Minister and get a copy of it. It is an excellent piece of work and I want to acknowledge the enormous effort the service put into it, as it does with everything. I will start by referencing a few points from that paper. Some of these comments do not really require an answer, but I will share them with the committee.

One issue concerns the functions of An Bord Pleanála and those of the coastal planning authorities. We need greater clarity on that relationship. Many of the witnesses will be aware of the controversy surrounding the strategic housing development, SHD. The common complaint concerns the right of citizens to appeal. We are talking about An Bord Pleanála having a function in major infrastructural projects. That will always be an issue of contention and concern. I am concerned about it. I was a director of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company for ten years so I know the challenges and difficulties of foreshore and coastal development. I am also aware of the great potential there. I think this Bill needs to be tweaked in places but on the whole I welcome it. It is a very positive contribution. This is something that should happen. I would like to touch on the issue of shareholder engagement. We know from the general scheme that the Bill has not been subject to public consultation at this stage. I am concerned about that. Perhaps the witnesses would comment on it. I apologise if they have already covered this.

I refer also to the community benefit scheme for offshore renewables. One of the previous speakers spoke about developing a communications protocol for it. That is important. This is a really important aspect of the Bill. Perhaps we could hear more about it.

I share the witnesses' concerns about aquaculture. I am also a member of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine, which is due to meet this afternoon. I can commit to raising this issue with that committee. We need to be aware of what is going here. I will suggest an examination of this by the other committee. It is very important that we provide bits and pieces of consultation on that.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin spoke about the general scheme of the marine planning and development management Bill, which is featured on the website of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Has it been amended since it was originally posted on the Department's website on 9 December 2019? If so, perhaps the witnesses could comment on the changes. What is the status of the general scheme featured on the website?

I also wish to raise the issue of consultation. The Irish Environmental Network and other environmental NGOs have a huge role to play in this. This committee is interested in engaging with them. It is important that the Department also taps into that rich source of information and commitment. I have some questions in this regard. Why do we need strategic marine activity zones if we have proper spatial plans? Can the witnesses give me the rationale? Moreover, why has there been no public consultation on the designation of strategic marine activity zones and maritime area consent? Finally, is there any role for the Office of the Planning Regulator in the development of this legislation?