Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
285. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has received any correspondence from stakeholders regarding delays with MARA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29240/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received correspondence regarding MARA’s application processing times and is committed to and focused on the need to optimise and streamline regulatory processes across the system. I, as well as my officials, have been actively engaging with MARA on the issues raised. In response MARA has developed a remedial performance plan. Corrective actions on throughput rates have been taken and this plan is now delivering measurable improvements in processing times.
My Department remains actively engaged in the oversight and governance of MARA to ensure that performance gains achieved to date are maintained and further essential improvements are delivered. In addition, my Department is preparing amendments to the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (to be included as part of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) Amendment Bill), which will further streamline the regulatory process.
