New objectives on energy and on the role of the fishing industry in food security are among changes to the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) which are outlined in a consultation document.
The NMPF public consultation was twice extended due to Covid-19- related restrictions, according to Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke.
The consultative report just published documents how 225 formal submissions were collated and assessed, and the background to changes which were accepted or refused.
Public consultation ran from November 12th, 2019 to April 30th, 2020.
The report “documents the process of consultation undertaken on the draft NMPF, the level of stakeholder participation that took place”, the ministers have said.
“I welcome the insightful contributions made by the public, NGOs and stakeholders in the maritime sector as part of this public consultation,” Mr Burke said.
“ The NMPF provides us, for the first time in our history, with a proper long-term framework for the effective management of marine activities and more sustainable use of our marine resources,” he said.
“I wish to thank all who contributed to the NMPF consultation process, and I also note the considerable level of complexity and detail contained within many of the submissions received,” he added.
The full NMPF consultation report is available to download below.