Public Encouraged To Have Their Say In Vital Foreshore Reform
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, today urged organisations and individuals with an interest in the sustainable development of Ireland’s marine environment to put their views forward to her Department.
Minister O’Sullivan was speaking as the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government commenced a month long consultation process that will play a key role in shaping new foreshore legislation that the Minister will bring forward later this year.
“The main legislation governing development and management of our foreshore dates from 1933 and reform is needed. The Government is determined to bring forward a modern regulatory foreshore regime that harnesses the economic potential our marine environment, while also protecting and managing this unique resource.”
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has published a consultation paper, “A New Planning and Consent Architecture for Development in the Marine Area.” It sets out in a clear, non-technical manner how the current system operates, highlights some of the current weaknesses identified by stakeholders and outlines options for future policy development. The public are invited to submit their views on this consultation paper by 1st March next.
“It is my view that management of our foreshore has been demand driven, rather than plan led. I want to change the system that has evolved since 1933 and ensure that Ireland’s marine environment has a modern regulatory system that promotes sustainability and facilitates development within a planned, balanced framework. I am committed to bringing forward new legislation later this year and I would encourage all those with an interest in our marine environment to have their say over the coming weeks.”