Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she plans to introduce a new Foreshore Bill to replace the Foreshore Act 1933 and provide modern legislation to govern coastal protection in the context of offshore wind development. [15164/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently responsible for the administration of the Foreshore Act 1933, including the issue of leases and licences for Offshore Windfarms. The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) 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. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will clearly assume a critical role in relation to the future foreshore management of offshore wind development. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in that respect.