Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to clarify this matter for the Senator. Ireland's foreshore is a national asset. It is essential that any activity or development on the foreshore takes account of the need to protect it. The principal legislation governing the use of foreshore is the Foreshore Act 1933. It is widely acknowledged that reform of this legislation is needed. The Government is determined to bring forward a modern regulatory regime that harnesses the potential of our marine environment while protecting the resource. To that end, last year it approved the drafting of a maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill and published the general scheme of the Bill. The Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht considered the general scheme in November 2013 and issued its report earlier this year.

Drafting of the Bill is ongoing with a view to its publication during the current Oireachtas session. In brief, it is intended that the Bill will streamline the consent process by aligning the foreshore system with the planning system, reducing duplication between the processes, with consequential benefits for economic activity.

The Senator is concerned about the issue of seaweed harvesting in the context of the proposed Bill. However, the foreshore consent process has a much broader reach and is used to regulate a wide variety of development, both public and private. Such development often involves important and necessary infrastructure including telecommunication cables, offshore renewable energy installations and wastewater treatment plants. Developments such as these are important both from a socio-economic and environmental perspective. It is simply not realistic to place consideration of such applications on hold pending the enactment of new legislation. The Bill has not been published yet and enactment is, therefore, some time away. While the specific issue of seaweed harvesting is currently under review in the context of the Bill, I do not consider it appropriate to single out seaweed harvesting for special treatment in this regard.

I also want to clarify that under the provisions of the legislation I am obliged to make a determination on all applications for consent that fall within my statutory responsibility. My Department will, therefore, continue to process applications under the terms of the current Foreshore Act.

Regarding the small number of applications currently with the Department for seaweed harvesting, each will be assessed in the context of the relevant regulatory framework, including obligations that arise under EU birds and habitats legislation. The process will include a public consultation phase for each application. I urge anyone with an interest to make their views known as part of those processes.