Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Foreshore Issues

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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293. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the progress made in addressing the backlog of applications for foreshore licences in recent years, and in particular to state when he expects his staff to determine the application for a foreshore licence (details supplied). [43577/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Until recently, my Department had sole responsibility for the regulation of the Irish foreshore, as part of the public estate, through the assessment and management of the application process for Leases and Licences applied for under the Foreshore Act, 1993 (as amended).

However, the enactment of the Marine Area Planning (MAP) Act, 2021 initiated the transition to a new Maritime Regulatory Regime overseen by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). This has led to the gradual phasing out of operations under the Foreshore Act, with new foreshore applications no longer accepted since the MARA’s establishment. However, applications received under the Foreshore Act prior to MARA’s establishment continue to be processed, unless applicants wish to withdraw from the foreshore assessment process and apply, as appropriate, to MARA.

The MAP Act introduced a number of legislative provisions which provide new possibilities for maritime users that were not previously available under the Foreshore Act, as well as providing a more efficient, targeted, and streamlined application process under the MAP Act, 2021 facilitated by the MARA.

My Department is engaging directly with the applicant referred to. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to provide further comment as this application may come before me for a determination in the future.

While progress will continue to be made on foreshore applications received prior to MARA’s establishment, in the most efficient and timely manner possible, the close out of the foreshore function and transition to a single regulator for the State’s Maritime Area under the MARA remains a key priority for my Department.

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