Mr. Richard Cronin:

I certainly see data produced to the right standard, subject to all the normal scientific processes and no matter what source they come from, playing a key role in providing information for us.

We already have a really good example of that in the first cycle of the ObSERVE programme, which received funding from the private sector. In addressing questions under the second cycle of the ObSERVE programme, we see that, again, we are working to provide certainty not only to decision-makers for the marine environment and biodiversity but also to the decision-makers who have to consider things like consent and the size and scale of various activities. We have information needs. We have published knowledge gaps, that is, things we know we do not know, for example in our marine strategy framework directive report of 2020. We actively seek information on those gaps through these monitoring programmes. We have in place arrangements with other Government bodies and we are very open to the concept of agreeing with others to provide us with that information if they can provide it at an appropriate scale and at an appropriate time in order that we may make these decisions. We also have access to funding through various European funding streams that helps us to gather this information. We participate actively in those funding streams and they provide us with information that allows us to make better decisions.

I think Deputy Ó Broin asked how much information or certainty we have. I think we will always in the marine environment end up having to rely to some extent on the precautionary principle. The issue is the scale at which we will end up relying on it. Having to hand all the information we need at the right time and at the right scale will be always a great challenge, given Ireland's vast marine region and its depths, which measure more than 4 km. That is one of the reasons we will need marine protected areas. When there are things we do not fully understand, we must provide protection in order that we may more fully understand them.