101. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications on hand in the foreshore section for the harvesting of seaweed; the average time it is taking to process each application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44753/24]

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 currently retains a small number of Foreshore Applications for the removal of seaweed, as a beach material, under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended). An examination of all remaining applications under the Foreshore Act 1933 is currently underway by my Department with a view to ascertaining their suitability under the transitional provisions provided for in Section 1E (5A) of the Foreshore Act 1933 or otherwise progress the application under the Foreshore Act.

The time to progress through the Foreshore process is dependent on a variety of factors; this includes the quality and completeness of the application and supporting documentation submitted by applicants; the number of stages and points of determination required to proceed through the process, including public and prescribed body consultations; as well as key junctures where the applicant is required to submit material to this Unit as part of their application to progress to the next stage. Therefore, the Foreshore process can be particularly lengthy.

Details on applications received under the Foreshore Act, are available on the Departments website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/#foreshore-search

Since its establishment, applicants may apply for a licence to harvest seaweed to MARA, in accordance with Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which provides for the Maritime Usages which may be undertaken pursuant to a Licence.