A new regulatory agency that will assess planning applications from developers of offshore wind projects and other maritime projects will be set up on 17 July.

Darragh O'Brien (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage) also announced that Laura Brien would become Chief Executive of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA).

Brien is currently chief executive of the Health Insurance Authority.

As well as assessing applications for Maritime Area Consents (MACs), MARA will also be responsible for granting licences for certain activities in the maritime area.

Board and chair

Several individuals will also be formally appointed to the board on establishment day, including:

• Karen Banks,
• Dr Ruth Brennan,
• Philip Daly (LK Shields, solicitor),
• Patrick Gibbons,
• Niamh Kenny,
• Brendan McGrath (County and City Management Association),
• Dr James Massey,
• Patrick Moran (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform),
• Paul O’Neill (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications), and
• Alma Walsh (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage).