Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the state of the foreshore legislation; the person who currently has responsibility for updating this legislation; his views, in the context of his plans to expand offshore wind capacity here, on whether such an updating is urgently needed; his plans to work with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28230/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Foreshore Acts are the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food and are administered by the Coastal Zone Management Division of his Department. I have no statutory function in the matter.

There is considerable interaction by my Department and the energy sector with Coastal Zone Management Division in the context of permissions required under the Foreshore Acts for energy projects including offshore wind. The sustainable development of the energy sector is predicated on having the optimum planning and environmental framework in place. In that context, I look forward to working with Ministerial colleagues to review as necessary the current framework under Foreshore legislation.