Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 7, before section 5, but in Chapter 2, to insert the following new section:

"5.—The Minister shall publish and lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a strategic review of existing foreshore legislation and a new framework for foreshore licensing and development within six months of the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009.".

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House and thank him for his constructive comments on Second Stage. The amendment arises from what has been at the kernel of the debate so far. The point has been made by a number of speakers on all sides of the House that the existing foreshore framework is inadequate and outdated. It is no longer able to cope with the changes that have taken place and the opportunities that have come to the fore - excuse the pun - in recent years. I refer to opportunities in sea fishing, aquaculture, wastewater treatment plants, commercial harbour developments, and wind, wave and tidal energy projects. The legislation governing these areas dates back to 1933. It is fair to say that, not surprisingly, that legislation was not drafted with these modern projects in mind. This is resulting in significant delays in processing applications for licences for aquaculture and renewable energy projects, both desirable fields of endeavour, which means there has not been adequate consideration of planning and development needs in the areas concerned.

It is appropriate that we are discussing the Bill immediately following statements on the devastation caused by flooding across the country because the latter demonstrates the importance of proper planning measures and procedures. We cannot afford to drag our feet any further. As the Minister of State is aware from queries to his Department, there are many instances of applications being put on hold indefinitely. First-time applicants or those renewing applications do not receive a response within an acceptable timeframe. This is largely due to the outdated system, one that could be said to be stifling progress and frustrating people. No doubt departmental officials find it difficult to deal with the cumbersome system in place.

On Second Stage the Minister of State promised a strategic review of the foreshore planning system was being considered. He indicated that a new framework would be drafted and put in place to expedite projects. The philosophy behind the amendment is to ensure the Minister of State's aspiration will become a reality, as will ours, and that we will not miss out on opportunities for investment in job creation and economic growth. We have delayed for long enough. Fine Gael suggests a target should be set to reform the system to avoid further delays and produce badly needed jobs across the various sectors. We believe the framework we have suggested would be adequate, given the extent of the work already done, in particular by the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. That committee, under the chairmanship of my party colleague, Deputy Barrett, has carried out investigations and done significant work, including the production of a draft Bill, which appears to have provided the Minister of State and his officials with a firm footing on which to begin a strategic review and bring forward much delayed and much needed legislation.

We heard on Second Stage that investments in the region of €16 billion, which is an enormous sum, are at our disposal in terms of potential investments in renewables and other energy generating projects. All of those projects are now in a queue, so to speak, awaiting approval to some degree or other.

The message from the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and from this debate is that we must capture that potential and reach our renewable energy 2020 targets and to do that we must push these projects forward. Our amendment is designed to help in that regard and I hope the Minister of State will give it consideration. I look forward to his observations on where we should move in regard to the thinking behind this amendment.