Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of secondary legislation to give effect to the maritime area regulatory authority; if the establishment of the authority in quarter 1 of 2023 is still expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48032/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which was enacted in December 2021, includes provisions to establish a new agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). It is intended that MARA will be formally established in Q1 2023.

A dedicated MARA Establishment Unit is in place within my Department to progress the establishment of the agency. Work is currently being progressed across three individual work streams - Governance, Operational Development and Corporate Development.

Secondary legislation to give effect to MARA's formal establishment and its various functions will be required. In particular, an Establishment Day Order (under section 41 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021) will be necessary to give effect to MARA's establishment. This Order will be prepared in good time in advance of MARA's establishment.

In addition, secondary legislation will also be necessary to allow MARA to commence its individual functions, on a phased basis, in line with the growth and development of its organisational and resourcing capacity.

It is envisaged that consenting operations in respect of Maritime Area Consents and Licensing will be commenced initially. This will be followed by the commencement of other functions such as those relating to enforcement and the administration of the existing foreshore consent portfolio, which will, in time, be transferred from my Department.