Professor Tasman Crowe:

In a nutshell, it is what we have just been saying. Consultation is really just asking for views that someone else around the table then takes on board in making the decisions, whereas co-creation really is having everybody around the table exchanging and sharing views, changing each others' perspectives and arriving at an agreed solution. That perhaps is not always going to be the case. However there will have been a recognised process of genuine involvement that led to that solution. It becomes particularly important further down the process when it comes to deciding on the regulations and restrictions that should be put in place. Often in conversations with people who are on the ground their initial stance may be one of "We absolutely have to stop this activity from happening".

If one then gets involved in more detailed conversations, there are usually practical solutions which respect the conservation objectives of the MPA, which is important, and also enable the activity to continue in some form. There are some good examples of that even within Ireland. We need to be talking to people on a level playing field. That is different from saying that there is a body that makes the decision and will listen to people's views from time to time.