The Government has extended the public submission deadline for the State’s first national marine plan framework until the end of this month due to the Covid-19 pandemic writes Lorna Siggins

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Damien English said the time extension was agreed “in recognition” of challenges faced by individuals or organisations in making submissions by the original date of April 9th.

The new deadline has been set for midday on April 30th, 2020.

The marine planning framework is one central piece in a jigsaw designed to meet the EU requirement for national marine spatial plans by 2021.

"The new deadline has been set for midday on April 30th"

It aims to outline the approach to managing Ireland’s marine activities and sustainable use of marine resources to 2040, serving as a parallel to terrestrial planning and development in the national planning framework.

The finalised national marine plan framework is still expected to be adopted in late 2020, the Department for Housing, Planning and Local Government has said.

The draft was published and public consultation was initiated last November. It sets out planning objectives and policies relating to 16 different sectors/activities including offshore renewable energy (and other energy sectors); fisheries; ports, harbours and shipping; safety at sea; sport and recreation; tourism; and telecommunications, it says.

Under associated legislation, maritime area consents will be granted by the Minister for Communications, Climate action and the Environment for developments such as offshore energy projects.

The draft national marine plan framework and associated environmental reports can be found at www.marineplan.gov.ie

People can give their views by email to: [email protected] or by post to: Draft NMPF Submissions, Marine Planning Section, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Newtown Road, Wexford, Y35 AP90