Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Prescribed bodies are a bit more in-depth and tend to be focused on, for instance, issues like the Aarhus Convention. They are environmental and very focused. The main plank in all of this is the geographical definition of a maritime area, its character, conservation, protection, species, habitats, assessments, ecosystems and cultural systems. I even saw spiritual in there somewhere. There is a lot of diverse language. I wish to home in on environmental habitat conservation, the principles of engagement around that and public consultation regarding the Aarhus Convention, for instance. That threat is the biggest area of concern I am receiving from emails and correspondence.

I also take on board what Mr. Cronin has said. I had an email this morning from a public representative in County Cork, who asked about the impact of all of this on the vibrancy of maritime leisure. I was formerly director of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company for ten years. I know the challenges and the sensitivities that surround that. We also must have vibrant ports and harbours, and there is wind energy etc. I ask the Department to take that away as another thought in terms of something more definite and concrete about prescribed bodies, particularly the environmental pillars. I am not downing other groups. There are also economic considerations and so on. I would like the Department to take that point away from this committee meeting.

Regarding monitoring and enforcement, is the Department satisfied there will be enough powers in and around the enforcement bit? While we have all of the objectives and policy, I am not 100% sure on enforcement. Will the witnesses speak about the follow-on from enforcement? Head 24 deals with penalties and forfeiture. The issue is monitoring and enforcement of it through the powers of enforcement. That is important. There is no point in having legislation if we cannot enforce it. There are also the issues of penalties and forfeiture, which are dealt with under head 24.