Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will introduce legislation to resolve planning issues relating to offshore wind generation; the remit of any proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4563/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005. When considering applications under the Foreshore Acts, including offshore energy projects, the role of my Department is to ensure the protection of the environment and the sustainability of developments on the foreshore. Foreshore consents for offshore wind developments already granted from 2002 to date allow for the installation of at least 1512 megawatt (MW) of offshore wind capacity. In addition possible Foreshore consents for offshore wind projects currently at both the application and the pre-application stage have the potential to deliver an additional 1900 MW.

A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts has been under consideration for some time. This is intended to provide a modern, effective and integrated legal framework for the management of the State's foreshore estate in the future. Preparation of these proposals will to take account, among other things, of the EU Public Participation Directive, the principles in the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the outcome of the EU Maritime Green Paper, the EU Marine Strategy Directive and the EU Roadmap on Maritime Spatial Planning.

The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for certain foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 including in respect of all energy related developments 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 interest of efficiency and effectiveness it is considered appropriate that the review of the Foreshore Acts should await the completion of the transfer of the relevant elements of the Foreshore functions to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 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 and management framework. In the meantime legislation will be brought forward very shortly to give effect to the transfer of the relevant functions to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to introduce legislation to update and fast-track the planning process to facilitate large-scale offshore wind generation projects. [4601/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005. When considering applications under the Foreshore Acts, including offshore energy projects, the role of my Department is to ensure the protection of the environment and the sustainability of developments on the foreshore. Foreshore consents for offshore wind developments already granted from 2002 to date allow for the installation of at least 1512 megawatt (MW) of offshore wind capacity. In addition possible Foreshore consents for offshore wind projects currently at both the application and the pre-application stage have the potential to deliver an additional 1900 MW.

A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts has been under consideration for some time. This is intended to provide a modern, effective and integrated legal framework for the management of the State's foreshore estate in the future. Preparation of these proposals will to take account, among other things, of the EU Public Participation Directive, the principles in the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the outcome of the EU Maritime Green Paper, the EU Marine Strategy Directive and the EU Roadmap on Maritime Spatial Planning.

The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for certain foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 including in respect of all energy related developments 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 interest of efficiency and effectiveness it is considered appropriate that the review of the Foreshore Acts should await the completion of the transfer of the relevant elements of the Foreshore functions to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The necessary arrangements to give effect to the transfer of the Foreshore functions are at a very advanced stage.