John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 34 together.

Short-term administrative and regulatory measures are being introduced to improve the throughput of foreshore applications by my Department, which has been working with the Department of Finance on a business process improvement exercise in the foreshore area.

This process has been completed and the recommended actions are now being implemented. These include the introduction of a pre-application consultation process; the development of a scheme of prioritisation for foreshore applications; introducing regulations to put a time limit on consultations with prescribed bodies; the development of standard operating procedures; the development of an application tracking database; and the publication of guidelines for applicants in relation to engineering and habitats issues.

The operation of the foreshore consent process is governed primarily by the Foreshore Act 1933 which has been the subject of only limited updating since its enactment. Work has commenced in my Department to develop a modernised foreshore consent regime and to integrate it within the planning system. This includes preparatory work towards the necessary legislative changes to integrate strategic foreshore projects within the consent process under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, other foreshore projects within the wider planning system and assessment of the requirements for the development of a marine spatial plan.

The draft offshore renewable energy development plan, and the associated strategic environmental assessment report, recently published by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, and currently undergoing a public consultation process, will inform the development of the consent regime, as it relates to offshore renewable energy projects.

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