100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an application for a seaweed harvesting licence applied for under the Foreshore Act 1933 (details supplied) will be decided; the process involved in making a decision on such an application; whether it will be possible for the public or interested persons to make observations on the application; the latest date for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44752/24]

The regulatory regime that operated under the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), has largely been replaced with the establishment of a new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) on the 17 July 2023. My Department has commenced an examination of all remaining applications received under the Foreshore Act 1933 with a view to ascertaining their suitability under the transitional provisions provided for in Section 1E (5A) of the Foreshore Act 1933 or to otherwise progress the application under the Foreshore Act.

As part of this review, the Foreshore application and supporting documents submitted by BioAtlantis Ltd, were examined and were considered suitable for the transitional provisions as set out in (5A) of Section 1E of the Foreshore Act. On foot of a Ministerial request, MARA have accepted this application on transfer for consideration as an application for a Maritime Usage Licence under Schedule 7 of the MAP Act 2021 (as amended) and BioAtlantis have been informed.

The contact details for MARA licence applications is licence@mara.gov.ie, or MARA may be contacted directly by members of the Oireachtas at oireachtas@mara.gov.ie.