Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in today; it is appreciated. There are two areas on which I wish to ask questions. First, this is a very significant Bill in terms of what it is doing to facilitate wind turbines and actions being taken around climate. That is very welcome and significant. In addition to having a climate change crisis, we also have a biodiversity crisis, and it is that side on which I want to focus.

On the issue of marine protected areas only being at the 2.4% designation currently when the commitment in the programme for Government is 30%, is there a concern that not having that in place in advance or in tandem with this legislation could lead to judicial reviews, and therefore delays in the planning process in respect of wind turbines, in particular? Is that a concern and has it been looked into? Is there advice on that?

Second, the Bill does not cover commercial fishing and aquaculture, which is a concern particularly in respect of the damage done to the marine environment and biodiversity by bottom trawling or dragging, and that can lead to pollutants entering the food chain as well as causing damage to biodiversity. The witnesses were asked about that, and they said that it cannot be covered in this Bill because fisheries is a competence of the EU. The EU Common Fisheries Policy specifically states that member states have the opportunity to design fishing conservation measures. Therefore, would that not allow this Bill to cover the area of fishing conservation measures and commercial fishing in that respect?