Basic facts on Marine Waters
Maritime Spatial Plan(s)
Status: Adopted
Ireland adopted its maritime spatial plan, the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) in June 2021 in accordance with the Maritime Area Planning Act (MPA Act 2021). The NMPF is the overarching framework for decision-making that is consistent, evidence-based and secures a sustainable future for the marine area. The period covered by the current NMPF is 2021-2027.The review is foreseen within 6 years according to the Maritime Area Planning Act.
Ireland's Maritime Spatial Plan is available here
A web map portal was also launched to link planning within the Maritime area to the relevant policies for each marine sector or activity listed in the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF). The site has four main sections: Activities Map, Activities, Policies Map and MSP Hub. This last section hosts the MSP newsletter which is published on a quarterly basis.
As part of the marine planning hierarchy in Ireland, a non-statutory Marine Planning Policy Statement (MPPS) was published in November 2019. The MPPS described the existing components of Ireland's marine planning system, outlined the vision for the future development of Ireland's marine planning system, and set out the overarching policies and principles expected of statutory bodies with responsibilities in, or impacting on, the maritime area.
Latest MSP developments
In accordance with the MAP Act in October 2024, Ireland published its first sectoral marine plan for part of its seas, the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (SC-DMAP). In September 2025 work began on a National Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (National DMAP for ORE). This plan will identify space for at least 15GW of offshore wind projects, contributing to Ireland’s target of having 20GW of offshore wind generation in place by 2040.
Formal consultation on this plan is expected in Q1 of 2027 followed by Ministers laying the draft plan before the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval at the end of 2027
Ireland is actively expanding its Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network to reach a target of protecting 30% of its maritime area by 2030 through the MPA LIFE Ireland project and advanced national legislation. The government has approved the drafting of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) Amendment Bill 2026, which will amend the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021.
The MAP Act (2021) mandated that a statutory MPPS should be prepared. It was subject to consultation in Summer 2025 and finalisation is ongoing.
MSP Legislation
The EU MSP Directive is transposed into national legislation by way of regulations made in 2016 (SI 352 of 2016). In October 2018, the regulations were repealed and replaced by Part 5 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018.
In 2021, the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (MAP Act 2021) was adopted, building on the maritime planning provisions of the 2018 Act. These provisions apply to future iterations of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF).
National MSP Authority
Ireland’s competent authority for MSP is the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).
Contact
Marine Planning Policy and Legislation
Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)
https://www.marineplan.ie/
msp
decc.gov.ie (msp[at]decc[dot]gov[dot]ie)
For more information regarding the evolution of the MSP process in Ireland please see the dedicated country profile below.