Mr. Tom Woolley:

We fully recognise the plan is entering the regulatory environment at a certain point in time and there are a number of matters under way that will strengthen Ireland's MPAs in terms of designations. That work is going ahead and we will work with colleagues in that regard.

We have tried our best to front-load anticipation of these matters entering the system. Marine protected sites policy No. 4 deals with measures that can be taken in lieu of a full network being in place and people looking to the best available information and seeking advice from relevant bodies concerning areas that are being considered for designation at the time the decision is made. It is about ensuring people are taking account of the best available evidence when decisions are being made. We are also putting in place a tool that will allow the mapping of conservation areas to be updated. While the policy will stay fixed in the plan in terms of marine protected sites, we will have the ability to update the mapping of sites as and when they become designated. We have tried our best to get ahead of that difficulty, knowing the plan has to be established this year but recognising the process of designation is ongoing.