Ministers make pledge on coastal zone management

The Government, with the publication by three Ministers of a policy discussion document, has taken the first tentative steps towards national coastal zone management. The Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, have pledged to work together to ensure the final plan is "inclusive, comprehensive and co-ordinated".

The document, drawn up by consultants Brady Shipman Martin, says weak links between some 11 statutory bodies responsible for various aspects of the coastline have contributed to inadequate consultation. This has given rise to many problems "both real and perceived", it says, and there is a heavy emphasis on voluntary co-operation and consultation.

Coastal administration is complicated by a plethora of legislation, with some 20 separate Acts, five EU directives, and the Common Fisheries Policy regulations applying directly. In addition, Ireland is signatory to a number of international conventions.

The gulf between land and sea is also reflected in the administrative structure. In addition to the three Government Departments, the local, regional and harbour authorities have an input, along with the central and regional fisheries boards, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Commissioner of Irish Lights, the Foyle Fisheries Commission and Udaras na Gaeltachta.

The Foreshore Acts, which are being updated, are an example of the inadequate legislative framework, it says. A foreshore licence or lease is both a commercial and regulatory instrument. There are no time limits on the assessment of applications and no requirement for statutory consultation.

Unlike local authority planning applications, there is no "development plan" within which applications can be considered, and conditions attached to a licence may not always be reflected in planning permission.

Ireland is in the minority in having no integrated management plan, the document says.

Key elements for success included involvement of users and local communities, mechanisms for co-operations between administrative bodies, legal provisions reflecting local, regional and national needs, and clearly stated objectives. Financial provision for implementation is also critical, the document says, although progress has been made with limited budgets where there is "sufficient enthusiasm, motivation and political will".

The document examines four options for the most appropriate model: an inter-departmental committee, an inter-departmental unit, an independent unit and a separate agency or authority. It recommends adopting a programme that moves progressively from an inter-departmental committee to an independent unit. Each phase would require a "driving force" especially at national level, measures for "meaningful public participation", and adequate funding, it says.

Presenting the document in Dublin yesterday, Dr Woods said the initiative represented the first "serious attempt" by a government of this State to define such a policy, and the Government's key objective was to promote awareness and stimulate public debate on the most suitable approach.

Mr Dempsey stressed the special management challenges presented by the "interface" between land and sea. "Our rate of success will be dictated by the extent to which the principles of sustainable development inform management policy formulation and its delivery at local level," he said.

Ms de Valera, stressing the conservation aspect of coastal development, said many marine and maritime sites were of national and international importance. Archaeological sites also required protection, she noted.

The Government, which plans to hold a public seminar on coastal zone management policy next March, has asked for written submissions to this document by February 6th, 1998. These should be sent to the Secretary of the Coastal Zone Management Group, c/o the Marine Institute, 80 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.

Copies of the discussion document (free of charge) and the main paper (£10 including p&p) can be obtained from ENFO, the Environmental Information Service, 17 St Andrew's Street, Dublin 2. The main paper is also available at the Government Publication Sales Office.