Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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788.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1038 of 23 July 2024, to what extent, if any, MARA has a role in reviewing offshore wind farm planning applications on foot of the submission of a completed application to An Bord Pleanála; the way in which the appeals process will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34131/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure, including offshore wind energy projects, and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.

Prior to making a maritime area planning application for permission for development to An Bord Pleanála, a prospective applicant must enter into consultations with the Board as required under section 287 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Planning Act). For the purposes of the proposed development, the prospective applicant is required to be in possession of a maritime area consent for the occupation of a maritime site, as determined by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) under the provisions of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, as amended, or been granted a licence under the Foreshore Act 1933. As part of the consultations, it is open to the prospective applicant to request a meeting with the Board for its opinion on design options in relation to the application. This is set out in section 287A and 287B of the Planning Act.

Applications for the development of offshore wind energy infrastructure are governed by section 291 of the Planning Act and decisions are issued under section 293 of that Act. As provided for under section 292 of the Planning Act, the Board may invite submissions or observations from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) in relation to any application received. Where permission is refused, an applicant has no right to appeal, other than by way of judicial review.

Functions in relation to Marine Planning was transferred to the Minister for Environment, Climate Action and Communications following a Government decision in 2023. The governance and oversight of MARA is a direct function of that Department.