Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed)
Dail Éireann — 2021-09-16
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Joe Carey (FG), Clare

I am pleased to speak in favour of the Bill, which will lead to many new and exciting developments in our marine economy.
The establishment of this authority will ensure that these developments will be done in a well-managed way, striking a delicate balance between sustainable development and managing our environment for the good of all humans and the millions of other species of flora and fauna with which we share our land and seas.
Ireland has a long and proud tradition of marine enterprise and exploration. I am a Teachta Dála for the coastal county of Clare. We must remember that 75% of our population live in coastal counties. The new authority will be of benefit to all of us, and I will support this Bill. The new authority will research, plan, and manage a maritime area seven times the size of our landmass. The main basis for this legislation is contained in the National Marine Planning Framework, part 1 of Ireland's marine strategy, which was published by the Government just over a year ago. This is a comprehensive and valuable document. Many of the records contained in this report were recorded and observed by the Marine Institute. Will this body be absorbed into the new authority or will it remain an independent entity?
In recent years, we have seen a number of important and strategic developments held up or cancelled by serial objectors who, for ideological or other reasons, have lodged numerous objections. Does this legislation include any measures to provide for address of these concerns in a balanced and fair way for all sides? Is the issue of commercial rates liable to a local authority also addressed? Will the hundreds, if not thousands, of marine wrecks at the bottom of sea be dealt with within the administrative area of the new authority?
Under section 36, the authority is answerable to the Minister. Does this extend to the answering of parliamentary questions?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2021-09-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:49:34+00:00
Sitting date: 2021-09-16