Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Crowe very much. It has been a really helpful session. I have a few follow-up questions. Head 6(4) states "the Minister, shall to the extent possible and appropriate aim to designate up to 10% of the maritime area as Marine Protected Areas as soon as practicable after commencement of this Act and up to 30% of the maritime area as Marine Protected Areas by 2030". When representatives from the Department appeared before the committee, a number of us said that language is a bit soft, first, because we were meant to have 10% designated by 2020. Irrespective of the full legalities of the 30% by 2030, a really firm commitment in the legislation would be preferable. Is that a view Professor Crowe would share? Does he think the language is a problem?

I am conscious of the fact that the biodiversity strategy may, obviously, move from being a strategy into something much firmer in terms of legislation. Given that is the likely direction of travel, would it be better to have the strongest possible commitment in the legislation at this stage from Professor Crowe's point of view?