Coastal Concern Alliance (CCA) is an independent, voluntary group, set up in 2006 by environmentally conscious individuals concerned about the lack of protection afforded to Ireland’s coastal environment.

Our marine wildlife, habitats and coastal landscapes have been inadequately protected by undemocratic and out-dated legislation - The Foreshore Act 1933 - introduced almost 90 years ago. Successive governments have promised to reform this legislation in line with international and EU best practice. However, the new legislation, The Maritime Area Planning Act, was adopted only on 23rd December 2021 and has already been revised.

Even with this new legislation and the promise of moving to a plan-led system, all of the proposed developer-led projects ('relevant' projects and those who had submitted license applications prior to 31st December 2019) have been given the green light to advance by applying for Maritime Area Consents. The power to grant these Consents rests with one Minister, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. This mirrors the situation under the Foreshore Act 1933, by which the power to award leases, (for up to 99 years) was invested in just one Minister. There is no public consultation and no ready public right of appeal against the awarding of MACs, just in the same way as there was inadequate public consultation and no proper appeals procedure under the Foreshore Act 1933. So while it might appear that reform has taken place, little has changed and our valuable coastal environment remains inadequately protected.

Add to this the fact that these projects, classed as Strategic Infrastructure, are to be assessed by An Bord Pleanála, a body that is currently under investigation as a result of concerns about how planning applications to the Bord have been managed.

Coastal Concern Alliance is campaigning for:

• Review of the decision to fast-track legacy projects, many of which are not compliant with environmental law, and some of which are currently subject to Judicial Review based on this possible non-compliance.

• Urgent revision of the National Marine Planning Framework, which does not comply with the requirements of the Marine Spatial Planning Directive, because it is a planning framework, not a plan, and it is not ecosystem based.

• An extended role for local authorities and local communities in the management of their coastal zone through the introduction of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

• The introduction of a buffer zone (free horizon out to at least 22Km) to protect coastal environment - wildlife, habitats and landscape. The average distance from shore of offshore wind farms under construction in the EU in 2020 was 44Km. In Ireland the average distance from shore of planned developments is 10Km.

Our group wishes to see the unique value of Ireland's coastal environment recognised and protected.

We have no affiliation to any political party or industry group.

Please contact us if you require any further information.