Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1337. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the drafting of the marine planning and development management Bill is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5862/20]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill was approved by Government in December 2019.

Further policy work is continuing on the development of certain aspects of the proposed regime and intensive engagements in that regard are ongoing with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, who are leading the development of the provisions specific to Offshore Renewable Energy.  In addition to the policy development work, engagement is also continuing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, other Departments and agencies on the drafting process. 

Following confirmation of the Bill's priority within the next Government Legislation Programme, my Department will begin a stakeholder and public consultation on the legislation. It will also be necessary to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny with the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee, once established.  The report prepared by the Committee in due course will be considered by my Department ahead of reverting to Government to seek approval to publish the final legal text of the Bill.  

Further enabling measures will be required post-enactment to bring the new regime into operation, including necessary regulations, statutory guidelines and transitional arrangements.