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Ireland’s relationship with the sea has helped define our nation’s culture and history. Our seas are a critical part of our identify as an Island nation. They are part of what makes us who we are. MARA – the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, is an important part of that new National Marine Planning Framework. We were established in July 2023 as the state agency which will act as the regulator of the maritime area for the benefit of current and […]

MARA is a new State agency with responsibility for licencing certain marine activities including: To understand the impact such activities may have on the marine environment, MARA has initiated a study with the Marine Institute. The output of this study, expected Q1 2024, will inform MARA if changes in the licence regime are warranted.  If so, MARA will engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to prioritise drafting legislative amendments to exempt some ‘low risk’ activities that

The Government has today (13th July 2023) officially launched the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), marking a significant milestone in the State’s stewardship of the maritime area including plans for renewable offshore energy development. The newly established authority will be responsible for regulating development and activity in Ireland’s maritime area and its role will include assessing applications for Maritime Area Consents (MACs), which are required before developers of offshore wind and other projects in the maritime area can make a

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Laura Brien Laura Brien has over 25 years experience in the area of regulation across a number of industries, in particular the energy sector. Prior to appointment as CEO of MARA, Laura was Chief Executive/Registrar of the Health Insurance Authority. She was previously a Director at the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) (2014-2020), where she held various roles covering responsibility for Energy Markets, Water, and Compliance. She was a member of the Bureau of

Minister O’Brien announces Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) establishment day and new CEO New body to be established in July with Laura Brien as its CEO The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has today (17 May 2023) announced that the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) will be established on 17th July, 2023. Making the announcement at the Wind Energy Ireland Offshore Wind 2023 Conference at Dublin Royal Convention Centre, the Minister added that Ms. Laura