MAC Guidance & Information
Purpose of Guidance
This guidance is published to support an Applicant in preparing a complete application for a MAC. The guidance and application forms were developed in response to feedback from our stakeholders.
MARA strongly recommends that an Applicant should seek a pre-application meeting with MARA prior to submitting a MAC application. A pre-application request form is available on the Maritime Area Consent – Application Toolkit.
The key benefits of the new toolkit for applicants for MACs include:
- Streamlined data requested by MARA to assess applications, through user friendly layouts and clear instructions to aid completion.
- Checklists to ensure all required documentation is submitted.
It important to note that the content of an application and supporting documentation is for the Applicant to determine in conjunction with their own suitably qualified expert advisers, and, where necessary, following consultation with the relevant responsible government department and agencies.
Please note Application Forms should be submitted as per download, without formatting. If you require additional Appendices, please submit as supplementary documentation.
Maritime Area Consent – Application Toolkit
Pre-Application Consultation
| Document | Download |
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| Pre-Application Consultation Request Form | Download |
Guidance-Maritime Area Consents
Application Forms – Maritime Area Consents
If additional attachments are required to be submitted as supporting documentation, please extract the relevant sections from the main form and submit as part of the overall application.
| Resource | View/Download |
|---|---|
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Circular MP02/2025
MARA received Circular MP02-2025 from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment on 20th November 2025. This circular is in relation to authorisation for emergency works to underwater cables etc |
View/Download |
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Transitional Provisions
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (“MARA”) wishes to highlight transitional provisions, contained within the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021(“the MAP Act”), as amended, relating to potential unauthorised usages and applications. |
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Circular MP01/2025
MARA received Circular MP01-2025 from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment on 11th August 2025. In accordance with Section 44 (c) of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, MARA will have regard to this Circular when considering applications for Maritime Area Consents or Marine Usage Licences. |
View/Download |
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Circular MP01/2024
MARA received Circular MP01-2024 from the Department of Climate, Environment and Communications on 15 November 2024. In accordance with Section 44 (c) of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, MARA will have regard to this Circular when considering applications for Maritime Area Consents or Marine Usage Licences which relate to offshore renewable energy activity. |
View/Download |