Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

As has been said, many potential implications arise from the development of the marine area. All the relevant organisations, bodies and stakeholders should be consulted in any review of a marine spatial plan or the national marine planning framework. We mention in this regard examples such heritage, which is incredibly important. One of the things pointed out at a public meeting last night was that there are many wrecks on the Kish Bank, where the construction of the Dublin Array offshore wind farm project is planned, including the HMS Leinster. In the area of heritage as well, Dublin Bay is also a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, designated biosphere, and, again, this is the area that will be impacted by this proposed development. Therefore, we must examine all the possible impacts from every conceivable stakeholder perspective. We have listed in the amendment all the relevant Departments to ensure that there is compliance with the various directives relating to habitats and birds, environmental impact assessments, etc.

Perhaps the Minister of State or his officials could answer one question that I was asked in this regard. I did not know the answer when the query was put to me. Will the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, have a role in assessing reviews of plans - in the context of the plans themselves - regarding proposals for development and the impact of any such development? I am curious because this question was asked and it seems like a good one.