The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was formally established on the 17th July 2023. On that date, as set out under Section 43 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, as amended, MARA assumed full administrative responsibility for all consented foreshore authorisations granted under the Foreshore Act and the management of the foreshore estate, including associated compliance, enforcement, and investigation functions. MARA functions include,
• Assessing Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications for the maritime area.
• Granting marine licencing for specified activities.
• Compliance and enforcement of MACs and licences.
• Investigations and prosecutions.
• Administration of the existing Foreshore consent portfolio.
• Fostering & promoting co-operation between regulators of the maritime area.
MARA is an independent corporate entity with responsibility under law for the performance of its functions, including monitoring and enforcement, and the discharge of its governance and other responsibilities. Arrangements have been put in place by MARA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. I refer you directly to MARA and to the email provided for Oireachtas queries: oireachtas@mara.gov.ie.
