Mr. Tom Woolley:

I wish to provide some assurance with regard to Article 8.1. The plan does have policies that refer to and have a spatial element. For example, the offshore renewable energy section talks about the need to ensure that those seeking to conduct activities in Ireland's maritime area are precluded from the development of offshore renewable energy in areas that are subject to ongoing application. There is a map accompanying that policy which sets out the lines and the polygons so people understand exactly where applications are being considered. Similarly, there is a map accompanying aquaculture which provides people with insights into where permissions are in place for people to conduct aquaculture activity relating to fin fish, shellfish or seaweeds, and there is a policy stating that if people are going to do things in these areas, even if it appears no-one is engaged in aquaculture there, they need to be aware that there is a permit in place for those activities and they need to speak to the relevant people to make sure there is compatibility. Some of the work we have been doing in ports and shipping, for example, involved working very closely with the Marine Institute which contacted and worked with the ports across Ireland to ensure that the jurisdictions that port authorities control are brought together in a national map for the first time. We are incorporating that into the plan and we have policies tied to those spatial areas to make sure that conflicts are managed appropriately and that consultation happens as early as possible, with the right people and at the right time. I hope that provides some assurance that the plan is spatial where it can be. In taking that approach, we have responded appropriately to Article 8.1.

For every single matter that the plan engages with and for every activity that the plan has policy for, the level of information available, be it spatial or otherwise, varies wildly. We had a discussion earlier about hydrogen and there are certain industries that do not have a strong policy background yet but we make reference to them in the plan because we know they are coming but there is not really something that can be said spatially with certainty at the moment. Where we can, we have been spatial and have set things out. They are on best available knowledge on the activities as they happen. Over time, that spatial specificity in relation to the plan and policies will be built upon through guidelines and the SMAZ process which the Deputy identified and on which Mr. Nolan can elaborate.

In terms of environmental assessments, we consulted on those with the draft plan beginning last November and closing in April. We had substantial comment on those which we are factoring into the plan revisions.