Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 30, lines 2 and 3, to delete “section 17(2)(a) or (3)(a), as appropriate, applies following a review referred to in that section” and substitute “initiating a review referred to in section 17(2) or (3), as appropriate,".

These amendments arise from the discussion on Committee Stage and seek to clarify when a public participation statement would be prepared in respect of both a maritime spatial plan and a DMAP.

Amendment No. 12 relates to the national level plan. The purpose of this amendment is to be clear that the public participation statement should be prepared at the initiation of the review of the national marine planning framework, NMPF, or the marine spatial plans rather than at that publication of a draft revised plan emanating from that review. The references to subsections (2)(a) and (3)(a) of section 17 are to be deleted and replaced with by references to the initiation of the reviews at subsections (2) or (3) of section 17.

In effect, the competent authority must provide for public participation from the earliest stage and it must be ongoing throughout the review and development of maritime spatial plans. This amendment is proposed on foot of a commitment made by the Minister of State at Committee Stage to review the timing of the publication of the public participation statement.

Amendment No. 17 clarifies this for DMAPs and provides that the public participation statement is published by the competent authority as soon as possible after the approval of the DMAP proposal. This amendment places consideration of the public participation process at the earliest possible stage and will ensure that public participation will be ongoing throughout the developments of DMAPs. Involving the public at this early stage will be crucial to influencing and shaping the development of plans. The amendment arises from a commitment given by the Minister of State at Committee Stage to review this issue.

These are further amendments that I am pleased to say arose from collaborative discussions on Committee Stage. It is evident that we need to ensure and clarify that public participation on marine spatial plans and designated maritime area plans should occur at the earliest possible stage in preparation of these plans. I thank the Deputies for their contributions and queries that resulted in these amendments being put forward and I hope they will support them.

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