Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of foreshore licence applications that are currently in progress or pending relating to wind energy development in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44218/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for regulating the use of the foreshore through a system of leasing and licensing under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. Currently foreshore licence applications are being considered for site investigations to assist with site selection and for gathering environmental and technical data to inform the future location and detailed design of proposed offshore wind farms.

Energia currently have two applications for foreshore licences for site investigations on the South East coast. Licences have recently been granted following the assessment of these applications and the relevant notices of determination will be published shortly, as required under section 21 of the Foreshore Act 1933. Details of these applications can be viewed on my Department’s website.

There are also a number of pre-applications covering the same area of coastline that are currently undergoing technical review in my Department prior to being put forward to full application and public consultation stage of the assessment process for a foreshore licence.

An Investigative Foreshore Licence does not grant exclusivity to a developer on the area licensed. A licence holder may only carry out the works as specified in the licence and such a licence does not permit the development of an offshore wind farm. Such developments will be the subject of future applications under a new consenting regime which is due to be introduced under the Maritime Area Planning Bill.