Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 179 and 182 would both seek to open up the special MAC case provisions beyond the relevant projects. These provisions are specific to the relevant projects as set out in the legislation. They relate only to either existing foreshore lease applications for offshore renewable energy, ORE, or had secured agreement for a grid connection. These provisions are transitioning those projects from the old foreshore system into the new regime where each proposal will be subject to a MAC application process and, if approved, may then proceed to prepare and submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for consideration.

These provisions are intended to manage that transition alone and are not intended to apply to any other category of applicant. To accept this amendment would be to fundamentally change the intention of the provisions and, potentially, to open up all potential development to these transitional provisions.

I must therefore, unfortunately, oppose these amendments. The Deputy might consider withdrawing them on foot of this explanation.

Turning Government amendment No. 180, this amendment removes unnecessary and redundant language from section 97(1) relating to relevant maritime usages and MACs before establishment day. Amendment No. 181 is a technical amendment to section 97 so that it also references section 70, which deals with powers to specify forms of document.

I must flag to the committee that it may be necessary to further amend sections 96 and-or 97 on Report Stage.

Work is continuing on possible minor technical changes necessary to ensure efficient operation of these sections, and I will endeavour to provide as much detail as possible to the committee in advance of Report Stage.