Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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830. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of foreshore licence applications for development of offshore wind farms in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [37437/23]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not accepted any new lease applications for offshore wind farms in the years referred to. This is consistent with Government policy relating to a plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy (ORE) development.

The Government has identified a number of projects that are the priority for development. These are called Phase 1 projects. The Government’s Phase 2 Policy Statement makes it explicit that all further offshore energy development must be determined as part of a plan-led structure, underpinned by ORE Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs). Details of the ORE Phase 2 policy are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/f3bb6-policy-statement-on-the-framework-for-phase-two-offshore-wind/

There are a number of ORE Site Investigation Survey applications for licence consent under the Foreshore Act 1933 to survey areas for the potential offshore wind energy development. The applications that refer to priority projects (Phase 1 projects designated by Government) are being processed while others are paused pro tem.

The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides for a new and streamlined planning process for developments in the maritime area. Under the new regime developers who have been granted a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) can then proceed to apply for development permission from An Bord Pleanála, where the project proposals will undergo environmental assessment. Ireland’s first Maritime Area Consents (MACs) have been granted to Phase 1 projects by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with a commencement date of 23 December 2022. These are available to view on that Department's website here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fab8f-maritime-area-consent-mac/

On 17 July 2023 the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was established under the Maritime Area Planning Act 1921. MARA is the statutory body that now has responsibility for managing the Phase 1 MACs and for the grant of any further consents.