On the 22 September 2016, The Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Environment, launched a 12 week public consultation on draft Guidance documents to help support the development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland. The two draft documents – one on the preparation of Environment Impact Statements (EIS) and Natura Impact Statements (NIS) for offshore renewable energy projects and the other on Marine Baseline Assessments and Monitoring Activities - have been progressed by the Environment Working Group of the Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group, which was established in 2014 to oversee the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan.
The Department is committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear and transparent manner. The draft Guidance documents build on a workshop organised by the Department in 2015 involving key stakeholders. This consultation provided the opportunity for further participation by stakeholders and the public. It was hoped that this consultation would help ensure that the Guidance document, when finalised, was as comprehensive and relevant as possible to developers and practitioners in the offshore renewable energy field.
The Department is bound by the Freedom of Information legislation and reserves the right to publish all submissions received.
