Poorly informed planning and "simple neglect" are resulting in an "insidious" loss of Ireland's rich maritime heritage, according to the Heritage Council.
The threat is exacerbated by the fact that about 80 per cent of the population live in 15 coastal counties, almost half of whom are within 10km of the coast, the council says.
It advocates a new planning management framework which ensures that environmental impact assessments are broadened to cover both natural and cultural aspects of the national heritage.
A draft policy document which was drawn up by the council in its role as adviser to the Minister for the Environment emphasises it is "vital" that responsible agencies take factors ranging from visual impact to water quality to climate change into account when assessing coastline projects.
The policy document, which was debated at a seminar in Galway, deals primarily with coastal and inshore aspects of maritime heritage.
