Chapter 5: A Strong Economy (Formerly Chapter 4)

8

Insert a new section Economic Principles as follows:

Economic Principles:

The economic vision set out in the RSES for the Southern Region seeks to develop a strong and diverse economic base to enable sustainable, competitive, inclusive and resilient growth. These five principles form the corner stones of the economic strategy for Limerick. The five principles include:

Smart Specialisation - Bringing together key stakeholders (local communities, national enterprise bodies, higher education institutions and private enterprises) to identify the competitive advantages of an area with the view of developing economic opportunities.

Clustering - Clusters are a geographic or virtual concentration of interrelated companies, suppliers and associated institutions.  Clusters put in place a favourable and connected regional business ecosystem in which new players emerge and support the development of new industrial value chains and emerging industries.

Placemaking for enterprise development – The Draft Plan places significant emphasis on placemaking, which involves ensuring that geographical locations are attractive places to live, learn and work. The knowledge economy has shifted trends. Effective place-making can create the necessary conditions for sustaining and creating jobs while also creating compact, attractive, vibrant and safe environments in which to live, work, visit and invest.

Knowledge Diffusion - The policy of “knowledge diffusion” is the spreading of knowledge - the process of knowledge transfer to different segments of society to create an environment that attracts inward investment and promotion of a knowledge economy. 

Capacity Building - Capacity building is defined by the RSES as building capacity to enable effective implementation and to respond to emerging challenges. Capacity building aims at developing a secure and stable economy that enables economic resilience by adapting to challenges and anticipating changes.

New section after 4.2 Policy Context

249

9

Insert new Policy into Section 4.4 Strategy as follows:

Policy ECON PXX - Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Economy - It is a policy of the Council to promote the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area as a key location for economic development supporting the provision of increased employment through the expansion of the existing enterprise ecosystem in the region and the development of smart specialisation.

4.4 Strategy

New policy

225, 249

10

Amend Policy ECON P6 Tourism in Section 4.4 Strategy as follows:

b) Support the Limerick Tourism Development Strategy 2019-2023, the Limerick 2030 Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick, and the River Shannon Tourism Masterplan and the Limerick Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy, which inform the development of tourism in Limerick.  

4.4 Strategy

ECON P6 Tourism

269

11

Amend Section 4.6.2 Revitalising City Centre Retail to include the following:

The Retail Strategy has identified a number of key actions and recommendations to facilitate improvements to sustain the vitality and viability of the City Centre as follows:  

1. Consider pedestrianisation and public realm improvements (new attractive hard landscaping) to encourage pedestrian activity within the core retail area.  

2. Maintain the vitality and viability of Limerick City Centre by consolidating the core retail area to ensure any future retail development is directed towards this area in the first instance.  

3. Encourage and facilitate the reuse of vacant buildings or under-utilised sites throughout the City Centre, with a focus on brownfield sites.

4. Consider improvements to the public realm within the City Centre, waterfront and consider improving pedestrian linkages to create a more pedestrian friendly environment.  

5. Promote access to Limerick’s historic core through improved signage/street maps to make visitors aware of the presence and location.  

6. Incentivise owners to make improvements to their buildings/shopfronts within the retail core through grant funding via the ‘Business and Retail Incentive Scheme’.  

7. Adopt a pilot programme for the extension of opening hours to allow for late night shopping within the retail core, this could be scheduled to take place alongside one of the City’s major festival/events which will support the night-time economy.

8. Undertake an access audit of the built environment to seek to improve accessibility within the City for people with disabilities.  

9. Support the retail charter for operators and landlords to sign-up to high quality goals for retail in the City Centre.

10. Support synergy with non-retail uses that attract footfall to the City Centre.

11. Work to define character areas and invest in marketing campaigns to communicate a broad City Centre experience to attract visitors and consumers.

12. Develop multi-channel synergy between retail, service and cultural offer of the City Centre.

4.6.2 Revitalising City Centre Retail

225

12

Amend Section 4.6.4 District Centres to comply with the Draft Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area and County Limerick Retail Strategy, in terms of the designation of the District Centres as follows:

There are also a number of other Tier 2, Level 2 District Centres throughout the Environs, including the Jetland Shopping Centre, Castletroy Shopping Centre, Watch House Cross Coonagh Shopping Centre, the Parkway Shopping Centre, the Childers Road complex and Roxboro Shopping Centre.

4.6.4 District Centres

68, 134

13

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Dooradoyle Urban Quarter in Section 4.6.4 District Centres as follows:

ECON OXX Dooradoyle Urban Quarter - It is an objective of the Council to:

a)     Promote the continued development of lands around the Dooradoyle District Centre and adjoining lands as a Strategic Employment Location through the delivery of additional office based employment uses in a phased manner in conjunction with supporting infrastructure development.

b)    Promote improvements to connectivity, signage and permeability within the wider area including pedestrian and cycle facilities linking to Portland Park and provide for the link road from Dooradoyle Road to Rosbrien Road.

c)      Facilitate the early upgrading of the existing flood defence infrastructure, thus ensuring the long-term flood protection of the wider lands in Dooradoyle in a manner compatible with any future City Wide Flood Relief Scheme.

d)      Ensure any application on lands at risk of flooding is accompanied by a Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment which shall demonstrate that any development does not result in additional significant flood risk in the area and does not impede the future delivery of a wider flood relief scheme for Limerick.

e)     Require an overall framework plan / masterplan to be prepared for the lands in advance of, or as part of, any application for a portion of the currently undeveloped lands.

4.6.4 District Centres

149

36(b) - Cllr. Joe Leddin

14

Insert a new section Click and Collect in Section 1 Retail as follows:

The Local Authority acknowledges the changing nature of the retail sector and the increasing trend towards Click and Collect type shopping. The Local Authority supports the development of such facilities at appropriate locations.  

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Click and Collect as follows:

Objective ECON OXX - Click and Collect - It is an Objective of the Council to support and accommodate the growth of ‘Click and Collect’ retail services and grocery home shopping as appropriate.

New section after 4.6.5 Local/ Neighbourhood Centres

New text and objective

68

15

Amend Section 4.6.7 Retail Warehousing as follows:

The Draft Plan will apply a cautionary approach to additional retail warehousing and will consider carefully any new proposals for additional retail warehouse floor space in terms of potential retail impact both on Limerick City, as well as on established retail warehousing cores. Applications for retail warehousing will be required to demonstrate that the proposal is accessible by public transport and that there is sufficient capacity in the local road network to accommodate the development. The Retail Strategy indicates that there is limited capacity for additional retail warehousing in the City and Environs.  

4.6.7 Retail Warehousing

200

16

Insert new Objective ECON OXX Networks as follows:

Objective ECON OXX - Networks - It is an objective of the Council to actively work as part of different networks, including economic networks and the Atlantic Economic Corridor Initiative, to share assets, collaborate and drive economic growth and competitiveness.  

4.6.9 Key Town: Newcastle West

New objective

160, 249

17

Include new Objective ECON OXX Inter Urban Links as follows:

Objective ECON OXX – Inter Urban Links - It is an objective of the Council to support the development of inter urban links as identified in the RSES, between Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale and across the County boundary into Co. Kerry and to develop partnership and synergies to support the development of the wider area.

4.6.9 Key Town: Newcastle West

New Objective

249

18

Amend Objective ECON O13 – Strategic Employment Locations City and Environs to remove part C and D as follows:

c)  Ensure development on the ‘High Tech/Manufacturing’ zoned lands to the west of Raheen Business Park shall be subject to the following:

• Cognisance to the residential amenities of the properties to the north and western side of the site and the adjacent agricultural land;
• Access to the ‘High Tech/Manufacturing’ zoned land to the west of the R510 will be limited to the existing roundabout to the east of the site;
• Applications for development in the low-lying area in the southern section of this zone shall have regard to the attenuation infrastructure and shall include a Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment, including proposals to mitigate and control the level of run off and attenuation.

d) Ensure the provision of a minimum 20m landscaped buffer zone between proposed development and adjoining development/lands in Annacotty Business Park, Northside Business Park and the ‘High Tech/Manufacturing’ zoned lands to the west of Raheen Business Park.

Insert new Objective ECON OXX Site Specific Requirements to include part C and D above, with additional text as follows:

Objective ECON OXX - Specific Site Requirements - It is an objective of the Council to:

a)  Ensure that a comprehensive framework plan shall be prepared and agreed with the Planning Authority in advance of development on the ‘High Tech/Manufacturing’ zoned lands to the west of Raheen Business Park. The framework should clearly set out the key infrastructure requirements for the site and identify responsibility for and the timeframe for delivery of such infrastructure. The Framework Plan shall be subject to the following:

• Cognisance to the residential amenities of the properties to the north and western side of the site and the adjacent agricultural land;
• Access to the ‘High Tech/Manufacturing’ zoned land to the west of the R510 will be limited to the existing roundabout to the east of the site. Limited access may be provided off the Patrickswell Road;
• Applications for development in the low-lying area in the southern section of this zone shall have regard to the attenuation infrastructure and shall include a Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment, including proposals to mitigate and control the level of run off and attenuation.

b) Ensure the provision of a minimum 20m landscaped buffer zone between proposed development and adjoining development/lands in Annacotty Business Park, Northside Business Park and the ‘High Tech/Manufacturing’ zoned lands to the west of Raheen Business Park.

c)  Require the preparation of a Masterplan for the Enterprise and Employment zoning at the former racecourse lands at Greenpark. The Masterplan shall include a conceptual layout, infrastructure and phasing details.

d)  Ensure all development proposals undertake an appropriate level of transport assessment, including an assessment of the cumulative impact of development, to ensure planned development can be accommodated complementary to safeguarding the strategic function of the national road network and associated junctions.

4.7.2 Strategic Employment Locations Limerick City and Environs

ECON O13 Strategic Employment Locations City and Environs

New objective

70, 129

9 - Cllr. Dan McSweeney

19

Amend Objective ECON O14 Strategic Employment Locations County Limerick as follows:

Objective ECON O14 - Strategic Employment Locations County Limerick - It is an objective of the Council to:  

1. Safeguard Askeaton industrial park for the accommodation of large establishments of regional importance. The application of appropriate mitigation measures for this zone as detailed in Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary (SIFP), Volume 2, Appendices C and D, the Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report which accompanied the SIFP, will apply for proposed developments within this zone. An overall masterplan for the site outlining the proposed infrastructural provision, including the provision of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), shall be provided. Access to the Development Location Site at Askeaton should be facilitated from the non-national road network. 

4.7.3 Strategic Employment Locations County Limerick

ECON 014 Strategic Employment Locations County Limerick

70, 225

20

Include an additional area of 7.348ha. For Enterprise and Employment at Annacotty Business Park (refer to end of this section for map).

City and Environs Zoning Map

169, 193

31 - Cllr. Kieran O’Hanlon

21

Insert new Objective ECON OXX Learning Region into Section 4.7.4 Knowledge Economy as follows:

ECON OXX - Learning Region - It is an objective of the Council to support the further development of Limerick, as an inclusive Learning City and County and to work with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.

4.7.4 Knowledge Economy

New objective

249

22

Amend Objective ECON O17 Education and Skills to include the following:

b)  Support the continued collaborative work undertaken by the Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) and the Mid-West Regional Skills Forum in employment generation and fostering of the knowledge-based economy to the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and Mid-West.

4.7.5 Education and Skills

ECON 017 Education and Skills

249

23

Insert new section Social Enterprise in Section 2 Enterprise and Employment as follows:

Social Enterprise: A social enterprise is an enterprise whose main objective is to achieve a social impact. Social enterprises can have a positive social impact on the people working and living in their communities through fostering inclusive growth, shared prosperity, social inclusion, training and job creation.

Insert new Objective ECON OXX Social Enterprise as follows:

ECON OXX - Social Enterprise - It is an objective to promote the development of social enterprise in Limerick.

New section after 4.7.7 Tackling Unemployment

New text and objective

14

24

Amend Objective ECON O27 Rural Hubs as follows:

Objective ECON O27 - Rural Remote Working Hubs - It is an objective of the Council to facilitate the development of remote working/rural working hubs at appropriate locations across the County.

4.7.13 Incubator/ Starter Units and Rural Hubs

ECON O27 Rural Hubs

146

25

Amend Section 4.7.14 Rural Enterprise and Employment Opportunities to include the following:

Having regard to the location and potential nature of developments facilitated by policies promoting rural enterprise and economic development, including rural tourism, proposals for development shall have regard to Policy TR P11 and Objective TR O38 in Chapter 7.

4.7.14 Rural Enterprise and Employment Opportunities

70

26

Amend Section 4.7.17 Mineral Extraction as follows:

The Council recognises and distinguishes between aggregate and mineral extraction and mining. The Council also recognises the importance of Scheduled Minerals as defined in the Minerals Development Act 1940-1999. Minerals are important to the economy and in particular to renewable energy and battery technology. Both these areas of technology are hugely important in terms of achieving local and national climate mitigation targets.  Map XX shows the location of mineral deposits in Limerick. Further details of minerals and aggregates can be found on the Geological Survey of Ireland Website, https://www.gsi.ie

It is recognised that the exploration and extraction of minerals, aggregates (stone, sand and gravel) and concrete products industry contribute to economic development, and are essential building materials and are required for industrial processes. However, they can give rise to land use and environmental issues which are required to be mitigated and controlled through the planning process. 

4.7.17 Mineral Extraction

88, 184

27

Amend Objective ECON O32 Mineral Extraction and Environmental Impacts to include the following:

1. Recognise the potential of the extractive, mineral and mining industries to contribute to Limerick’s economy and endeavor to protect access to these resources, where known.

b) Minimise environmental and other impacts of mineral extraction through rigorous application of development management and enforcement requirements for quarry and other developments; and  

c)  In particular, to have regard to visual impacts, methods of extraction, noise levels, dust prevention, protection of rivers, lakes and other water sources, impacts on residential and other amenities, impacts on the road network (particularly with regard to making good any damage to roads), road safety, phasing, re-instatement and landscaping of worked sites. 

4. Ensure that development for aggregates/mineral extraction does not significantly impact on County Geological Sites / Sites of geological interest.

4.7.17 Mineral Extraction

ECON O32 Mineral Extraction and Environmental Impacts

88, 93, 184

28

Include a Mineral Deposits Map/Aggregates Map under Section 4.7.17 Mineral Extraction (refer to end of this section for map)

4.7.17 Mineral Extraction

184

29

Amend Section 4.7.20 Limerick’s Food Sectors to include the following:

The Agri-Food sector is one of Limerick’s most important indigenous industries, playing a vital role in the local economy. Limerick also supports the rich heritage of market towns with the potential to revive farmer markets to support local SMEs and food tourism. The Council supports the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Action Plan for Rural Development (APRD), which focuses on the continued development of the agri-food sector through implementation of Food Wise 2025.

The Food Vision 2030 Strategy is a new ten-year Strategy for the Irish agri-food sector (taken to include primary agriculture, food and drink processing and manufacturing, fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing, forestry and forestry processing and the equine sector). Its Vision is that Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) over the next decade. This will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment. In demonstrating the Irish agri-food sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this will also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy.

The Failte Ireland ‘Food Tourism Development Strategy 2018-2023 aims to increase the availability of great Irish food and drink experiences across the country, to increase the number of tourism businesses engaged with development initiatives and, overseas, to increase and enhance the awareness and perception of Ireland’s food and drink offering. In order to develop and improve the food and drinks experiences in pubs, the product must be authentic and the service must be of high quality.

4.7.20 Limerick’s Food Sectors

77, 261

30

Amend Objective ECON O35 Limerick Food Strategy as follows:

It is an objective of the Council to support Limerick’s food and drink producers in accordance with the aims/gaols established under the Food Strategy for Limerick 2016–2018 and any update thereto.

a) Support The Food Vision 2030 Strategy and the Food Strategy for Limerick 2016–2018 and any update thereto, the aim of which is to develop and enhance Limerick’s reputation for outstanding food and drink, by supporting Limerick’s food and drink producers and to ensure the development of Limerick as leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant communities and the economy.

b) Support Failte Ireland’s ‘Food Tourism Development Strategy 2018-2023 and any update thereto.

4.7.20 Limerick’s Food Sectors

ECON 035 Limerick Food Strategy

77, 261

31

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Food Destination Limerick as follows:

Objective ECON OXX – Food Destination Limerick - It is an objective of the Council to promote Limerick as a food destination and to implement the Fáilte Ireland ‘Food Tourism Development Strategy 2018-2023’ and the Limerick City and County Council Food Strategy 2016-2018, regarding the development of food tourism in conjunction with relevant stakeholders.

4.7.20 Limerick’s Food Sectors

New objective

77, 261

32

Insert a new section Circular Economy in Section 2 Enterprise and Employment as follows:

Circular Economy - The transition to a more circular economy, where the generation of waste is minimised by the principals of designing out waste and pollution and keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, is essential in developing a competitive, sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient economy. The Council recognises the multiple economic and environmental benefits and opportunities that arise from a more circular economy particular in the creation of job opportunities in recycling and high-quality repairs and new innovative enterprises.  More information on the Economic Opportunities around the Circular Economy can be found in Chapter 8 Infrastructure.

Insert new Objective ECON OXX Circular Economy as follows:

Objective ECON OX - Circular Economy - It is an objective of the Council to support the economic benefits and opportunities that exist in the transition to a more circular economy.   

New section after 4.7.20 Limerick’s Food Sector

New section and objective

146, 153, 244

33

Amend Objective ECON O36 Tourism to include the following:

H) Support and promote the development of the Shannon River Interpretative Centre in Limerick City.

4.8.2 Rural Tourism

ECON O36 Tourism

105

42 - Cllr. Sasa Novak Ui Chonchuir

34

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Festivals in Section 3 Tourism as follows:

Objective ECON OXX - Festivals - It is an objective of the Council to support and develop existing festivals and encourage the establishment of new festivals and events on a yearly basis in conjunction with relevant stakeholders.

4.8.2 Rural Tourism

New objective

269

35

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Shannon Tourism Masterplan in Section 3 Tourism as follows: 

Objective ECON 0XX - Shannon Tourism Masterplan - It is an objective of the Council to:

1. Promote, encourage and facilitate the implementation of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan and its objectives in co-operation with Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and adjoining Local Authorities. This includes proposals for the increased access to and visibility of the Shannon’s scenic attributes and its use for land-based activities, such as cycling and walking.
2. Promote, encourage and facilitate the implementation of the Lower Shannon Priority Projects, as identified in the Shannon Tourism Masterplan, where they relate to Limerick.

4.8.2 Rural Tourism

New objective

269

36

Amend Objective ECON O37 Limerick Greenway and insert new text as follows:

Objective ECON O37 Limerick Greenways Greenway:

G) Support the development of a greenway link from Limerick City to connect with the Suir Blueway in Cahir, County Tipperary, in so far as it falls within County Limerick, subject to ecological assessment and design.

4.8.3 Limerick Greenway

ECON O37 Limerick Greenway

243

43 - Cllr. Sasa Novak Ui Chonchuir

37

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Clustering of Tourist Facilities in Section 4.8.4 Tourism Facilities and Accommodation as follows:

Objective ECON OXX – Clustering of Tourist Facilities - It is an objective of the Council to cluster niche tourist/ visitor services and infrastructure, including locations where the service or tourist attraction currently exists.

4.8.4 Tourism Facilities and Accommodation

New objective

77

17 - Cllr. Stephen Keary

38

Amend Objective ECON O40 Location of Tourism Accommodation as follows:

a)    Ensure that holiday home developments accommodation including campsite (i.e. static and touring caravans, campervans, glamping pods and tents) developments should be concentrated within or adjoining existing towns, villages and settlements, where they can best support the provision of services and minimise the impact on the open landscape. Such developments should respect the existing fabric of the settlement, both in scale and design. In limited cases, such accommodation may be appropriate in rural locations, where it compliments an existing tourism asset /service and where there is a justifiable need, such as its proximity to established tourism trails/ routes/ food and craft businesses. In rural locations, structures should be integrated into the existing landscape or proposals should demonstrate that an appropriate landscape will be designed around the structure.

b)   Proposals to reinstate, conserve and/ or renovate existing, vacant, derelict or disused buildings for holiday accommodation in both urban and rural areas, will be considered subject to normal planning and environmental criteria.

All such development will be considered, having regard to the environmental conditions and sensitivities, scenic amenity, availability of services and the cumulative impact of such developments on the environment.

4.8.4 Tourism Facilities and Accommodation

ECON 040 Location of Tourism Accommodation

45, 77, 104  131, 138, 229, 230, 239, 261, 262, 269

15 - Cllr. Eddie Ryan, Cllr. Emmett O’Brien, Cllr. Brigid Teefy, Cllr. Jerome Scanlon, Cllr. John O’Donoghue, Cllr. Frankie Daly

16 - Cllr. Stephen Keary

39

Insert a new Objective ECON OXX Digital Innovations to support the Tourism Industry in Section 3 Tourism as follows:

Objective ECON 0XX - Digital Innovations to support the Tourism Industry - It is an objective of the Council to support digital innovations to support the tourism industry throughout Limerick.

4.8.4 Tourism Facilities and Accommodation

New objective

269

40

Insert a new section Marine Spatial Planning in Section 4 Marine Economy as follows:

Marine Spatial Planning - The 2020 Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, committed to reaching Ireland’s target of 10% under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as soon as is practical and aim for 30% of Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) by 2030. This is in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a new way of looking at how we use the marine area and planning how best to use it into the future. MSP will try to balance the different demands for using the sea including the need to protect the marine environment. It is about planning when and where human activities take place at sea. It is about ensuring these activities are as efficient and sustainable as possible.

National Marine Planning Framework - Ireland’s Marine Spatial Plan is known as the National Marine Planning Framework was published in June 2021. The National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) brings together all marine-based human activities for the first time, outlining the Government’s vision, objectives and marine planning policies for each marine activity.

Ireland’s National Marine Planning Framework will be a key decision-making tool for regulatory authorities and policy makers into the future in a number of ways, including decisions on individual consent applications which will have to have regard to the provisions of the plan in the same way that terrestrial plans form part of the decision making tool-kit in the on-land planning process.

Maritime Planning Bill 2021 - The Maritime Area Planning Bill (MAP) is the State’s leading response to the much-needed reform of marine governance. This legislation intends to put in place a comprehensive and coherent planning system for the entire Maritime Area. The constituent elements of this system are:

• A forward planning regime for the maritime area;

• A new streamlined development management system for the maritime area incorporating consenting for the occupation of the maritime area (Maritime Area Consents and licencing) and a new planning consenting regime (to be implemented by coastal Local Authorities and An Bord Pleanála);

• The establishment of a new agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to manage the occupation of the maritime area and to enforce the provisions of the new regime.

The Bill provides the legal underpinning to an entirely new marine planning system, which will balance harnessing our huge offshore wind potential with protecting our rich and unique marine environment. The Bill is a key enabler of Ireland’s decarbonisation goals. The Bill will provide for a completely new regime for the entire maritime area underpinned by the NMPF. Foreshore Consents will be replaced by a more focused and streamlined Maritime Area Consent regime. The planning permission system will be extended into the entire maritime area with development subject to a single comprehensive environmental assessment. Compliance and enforcement activities are supported through robust provisions.

Insert new Objective ECON OXX National and Regional Marine Planning as follows:

Objective ECON OXX - National and Regional Marine Planning - It is an objective of the Council to:

1. Support and facilitate the implementation of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) and the Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021 upon its adoption.
2. Continue to work with the relevant Government Departments and other relevant stakeholders in the promotion of integrated marine management and following the adoption of the NMPF to identify those areas that may have particular management requirements and, where appropriate set out any requirement that may exist for Maritime Spatial Plans (MSPs) and Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs).
3. Support the potential of the marine environment by nurturing opportunities for innovation in the Maritime economy while ensuring that its ecosystems are managed sustainably.

Section 4 Marine Economy

New Section

251

41

Amend Objective ECON O45 Offshore Renewable Energy as follows:

Objective ECON O45 Offshore Renewable Energy: It is an objective of the Council to:

a)      Support in conjunction with other relevant agencies, wind energy initiatives, both on-

         shore and offshore and wave energy, when these are undertaken in an environmentally 

         acceptable manner.

b)    Promote Limerick to become the primary hub for the development of Ireland’s west coast renewable energy, with potential in research, innovation, logistics, development, maintenance and administration.

4.9 Shannon Estuary – Limerick Docklands and Foynes

ECON O45 Offshore Renewable Energy

208, 244