Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their comments. The decision to transfer these functions was taken by the Government at a meeting on 20 December 2023 and this is the earliest opportunity to enact that decision. It was introduced in the Seanad in previous weeks and debated there. It is a transfer of functions from one Department to another, the same as the rest of this legislation, which is also a transfer of functions from one body to another. It is designating that it will be the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications which will be responsible for marine area planning. As Deputies know, the development of our wind farms is absolutely critical so we can address climate change as quickly as possible and it is important we get all the legal parts in place. As Deputy O'Rourke says, we still have to legislate for marine protected areas and for DMAPs and we are working on that. That is much more substantial legislation that will require a full debate. This is really a simple transfer of functions from one Minister to another.

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