Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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At the request of my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on Wave, Tidal and Offshore Wind Development in Irish waters. The Ocean Energy Development Unit in SEI is progressing the SEA with the assistance of expert technical advice. The process is being overseen by a Steering Group which comprises my Department, SEI, the Marine Institute and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The SEA will underpin the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, which will inform the development consent framework for future offshore renewable energy projects. The SEA will provide an environmental assessment at a strategic high level. Under the relevant EU Directive individual projects are still required to carry out specific environmental impact assessments (EIAs.) Environmental Impact Statements already submitted with the current applications for foreshore leases, may be taken into account in the SEA.

Under the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, responsibility for certain foreshore functions transferred to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with effect from 15 January 2010. This includes all energy related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy) on the foreshore. Both the Offshore Renewable Energy Plan and the Strategic Environmental Assessment will encompass and recognise existing offshore wind projects and those projects with foreshore lease applications at an advanced stage and in the GATE 3 process. The requisite permissions for those projects will continue to be progressed while the SEA process is completed.