Public Consultation on Ireland’s First Statutory Marine Planning Policy Statement (MPPS)
Closing Date for Submissions: Monday, 7 July 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment invites public input on Ireland’s first statutory Marine Planning Policy Statement (MPPS). This marks a key milestone in shaping the future of Ireland’s maritime governance, setting out a clear policy framework for how marine activities will be planned and managed across the country.
Introduction
Ireland's marine space is a vital national asset, supporting biodiversity, economic development, renewable energy, and climate action. In recognition of its strategic importance, the government published the first non-statutory MPPS in November 2019. This statement set out the components of the then-existing marine planning system and laid the groundwork for future developments, including the adoption of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) and the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (MAP Act).
With the MAP Act now in effect, Ireland has established a robust statutory basis for marine planning. Section 6(4) of the Act mandates the preparation and publication of a statutory MPPS within twelve months of the relevant section's commencement. The new policy statement will guide Ireland’s approach to marine planning for a period of no less than three years.
Policy Launch
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, announced at European Maritime Day in Cork on 22 May 2025 that public consultation on the new MPPS would open on 9 June 2025.
This statutory MPPS will remain in place until it is revised and updated through future consultation and government approval.
Purpose of the Marine Planning Policy Statement
The statutory MPPS will:
Outline the existing components of Ireland’s marine planning system and the policy hierarchy
Set out the government’s strategic principles for marine planning
Identify national marine planning priorities for managing maritime activities
Describe how marine planning policy will be monitored and reviewed over time
A revised draft MPPS will be prepared following this consultation and submitted to the government for formal approval.
How to Make a Submission
Deadline: 5:30 PM on Monday, 7 July 2025
You can send your submission by:
Email
📧 MSP@dcee.gov.ie
Subject line: MPPS Consultation
Post
MPPS Consultation
Marine Planning Policy Section
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Newtown Road
Wexford
Y35 AP90
Data Protection & Privacy
The Department is committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement. Submissions will be considered in line with:
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
The Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007–2018 (AIE)
The Data Protection Act 2018
All responses will be reviewed and analysed by a third-party firm. Submissions may be published on our website following redaction of personal data. If your response includes any personal, commercially sensitive, or confidential information, please clearly indicate this when submitting.
To learn more, please review our Data Privacy Notice, which explains:
What personal data we collect
Why and how it is processed
Your rights under data protection law
How you can exercise those rights
The Public Consultation Institute of Ireland (PCII) is committed to engaging citizens and empowering communities through the use of emerging technologies, which are transforming how the Government and citizens communicate and interact. PCII's mission is to bring more people into the public participatory process. Not only will this expand informed public engagement, early studies suggest that it is likely to enhance the diversity and quality of participation. View a list of public consultations currently open at https://www.publicconsultation.ie/haveyoursay