Seanad debates

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage

 

10:30 am

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

There was much discussion on Committee Stage in the Dáil around public consultation and the need to exclude certain periods.This is consistent with the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Section 54 of the Bill also provides that the Minister may, by regulations, specify further public holidays. On the passage of this Bill, my Department will begin preparing all relevant regulations to support it. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, has already committed to discussing these regulations, when drafted, with the relevant joint Oireachtas committee, if it so wishes.

I would like to address the points raised by Senators Higgins and Cummins. There is no doubt that there is huge demand on the public in terms of public consultation. The dates are one thing, but the method of how we engage with communities and various stakeholders is critically important as well. We need to move towards participative engagement and away from linear type consultation processes. Senator Higgins referenced the Aarhus Convention, which is very important in terms of environmental projects and environmental obligations. The Government has committed to that, in particular around the marine protected areas. There was significant public engagement, including with fishers and communities. There has been a good opportunity for engagement on this. We need to ensure always that there is that sufficient level of engagement. While this proposal is important in terms of the dates, the method of engagement and how we engage with communities and stakeholders are vitally important too. I oppose these amendments.

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