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

The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority was established, and its functions commenced, on 17 July 2023. Up to year-end 2023, the focus of operations is to build on the pre-established work of my Department, embedding both the governance structures and the consenting regime of the agency. A recruitment process is currently under way to enable MARA build expertise in its people, processes and technology.

In undertaking its work, MARA has prioritised the development of its consenting processes for maritime area consents, MACs, and maritime usage licences, including: preparation of guidance; development of application forms; preparation of statutory notices; and associated secondary legislation. It has also commenced consenting application processes for MACs and licences, including holding pre-application meetings with prospective applicants. All phase 1 MACs, which relate to the development of offshore renewable energy, have transferred to MARA from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in line with the provision of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. MARA continues to engage with that Department on a range of policy issues. MARA is an independent agency in the performance of its functions in accordance with the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021.

MARA's responsibility is broad and includes: MACs for specified activities; enforcement of MACs; licences and offshore development consents; investigations and prosecutions; administration of the existing foreshore consents portfolio; fostering co-operation between regulators of the maritime area; and managing the existing State foreshore portfolio. As the Deputy can see, MARA has a broad range of functions and important responsibilities in an area of the marine that will be hugely significant from an economic perspective and in the protection of our marine area.

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