Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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246. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48446/18]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Considerable work has been undertaken to advance the drafting of the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill, including through engagement with the Marine Coordination Group and a number of workshops and bilateral meetings with relevant policy Departments and the Office of the Attorney General throughout 2017 and 2018.  In addition, a high level Marine Legislation Steering Group has been established to facilitate the development of marine legislation with cross-Departmental impacts. 

Legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General on draft text developed by my Department is anticipated shortly.  Following receipt, review and consultation, it is intended to revert to Government with options to progress the reform of marine consenting.  In the meantime resources have been devoted to the development of the legislation necessary to prohibit the sale and use of microbeads.