MAC Pre Applications
What is a Pre-application?
A MAC pre-application is a meeting held with staff at MARA with the purpose of guiding and informing applicants on any queries relating to their application. These meetings are held on a non-statutory basis without prejudice to any future applications. This meeting is not a requirement of the overall MAC application, and MARA will be unable to say whether or not a MAC is likely to be granted at this meeting.
For the pre-application meeting to be most beneficial to the applicant, it is recommended that the pre-application meeting is held when the project is well advanced, and the applicant is preparing to make a MAC application.
How does it work?
To request a Pre-Application meeting, fill out the Pre-Application Consultation Request Form in the Maritime Area Consent Application Toolkit.
Visit our Applying for a MAC Page.
Alongside the form, please ensure that you have attached a map highlighting in red the proposed area of maritime area that will be subject to the application, and send to mac@mara.gov.ie.
Once the form is received, MARA will first consider the information set out in the request form. MARA will then be in touch with the applicant to arrange a meeting date.
Important points to consider before engaging with MARA
Before engaging with MARA, please have regard to the following points surrounding your application:
- Location of development. To be considered by MARA, the development should fall within an area below the high water mark to the outer limit of the State’s continental shelf. (Appendix A of MAC Guidance)
- Whether the development is permanent or temporary and whether it requires planning permission.
- The expected timeframes of the project and estimated life cycle of the development.
- Whether the development falls under Schedule 3 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021.
- Whether the development falls under Schedule 4 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021.
- Whether the development or usage falls under Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, in which case, a Maritime Usage License (MUL) may be required. Click here to find MUL information
Types of Application
- Section 75 (1) – when a MAC is required prior to seeking development permission
- Section 75 (4) – when a MAC is required after the grant of development permission
- Section 76 – when a MAC is required but not development permission
- Section 105 – transitional provisions for certain foreshore authorisations
- Section 106 – transitional provisions for certain unauthorised maritime usages