Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the Designated Maritime Area Plans; when they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) are a critical part of the Government’s strategic plan for our maritime area, which is reflected by the commitment stated in the 2025 Programme for Government to prioritise the publication of further DMAPs, while ensuring that the relevant State bodies and agencies are sufficiently resourced to accelerate these developments.

The use of strategically planned DMAPs will ensure that developments in Ireland’s maritime area take place in a managed and sustainable way. The Government will ensure that planned DMAPs will also provide comprehensive opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement, most importantly for coastal communities and marine stakeholders.

The process of preparing a DMAP is an intensive undertaking, requiring resources and specialist expertise across a range of technical, legal and environmental fields. To ensure these resources are deployed efficiently, effectively and deliver the maximum benefit to the marine planning system, my Department has developed a Framework for DMAPs which will provide the necessary certainty for all sectors.

The transformational process of changing to a plan-led system for our maritime area has already commenced with the National Marine Planning Framework published 2021, and, more recently, the South Coast DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) being approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas in October 2024. The South Coast DMAP identifies four Maritime Areas for future offshore wind deployments off Waterford and Wexford, and implementation of the DMAP will facilitate the start of Ireland’s second offshore wind auction, known as ORESS Tonn Nua, which will commence Q2 2025.

Taking the lead from the successful approach utilised in developing the South Coast DMAP, future DMAPs will continue to be established according to an evidence-based methodology using best available marine data, and incorporate robust provisions for environmental protection, including the protection of biodiversity, noting that there is no greater threat to biodiversity than the escalating global climate emergency.

Developing a further DMAP for ORE is a key priority, as is the alignment of the DMAP and marine protected area designation processes. My Department is currently preparing proposals for my consideration which will then allow a detailed proposal for the next DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy to be prepared. This will be accompanied by a comprehensive Public Participation Statement which will set out the plans for focussed stakeholder engagement and public consultation opportunities.