Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she will take in regarding planning of offshore wind facilities following concerns expressed by a group (detail supplied); her views on calls for a reform of the Foreshore Act 1933 governing construction at sea; if she will ensure strategic environmental assessment of the Irish coastline; her policy on the issue of integrated coastal zone management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9802/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions.

In the interim, all foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005 rest with my Department. My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade. Under the existing interim foreshore management procedures, the construction of an offshore electricity generating station on the foreshore is governed by the Foreshore Act 1933. Applications for offshore electricity generating stations are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment and the views are sought from in excess of 100 consultees, both statutory and non-statutory. Applications are subject to a two-month public consultation phase, advertised both locally and nationally.

The application is assessed within the Department and by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee, which comprise a number of professionals, suitably qualified to assess the application. When it has been determined that all the issues in the consultation process have been properly addressed, the application is sent to the Minister for a decision as to whether the lease should be granted. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will clearly assume the critical role in relation to future aspects of foreshore management for offshore wind facilities. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of progressing the various elements required to develop the appropriate coastal zone legislative framework.