Ms Laura Brien:

It does not fall directly within MARA’s remit. We welcome anything that provides clarity with regard to marine spatial planning because the more clarity there is around what activities are actively being designated in an area or a marine protected area, the more it will enable our decision-making to be more robust and speedier. Ultimately, the decision as to how best to bring forward the MPAs rests with the Government in terms of policy. Once an MPA has been designated, then MARA has a role in making sure that we incorporate that designation, and any constraints or mitigating actions will then be driven on the basis of the objectives relating to that MPA. We welcome the DMAP process for ORE because it provides clarity. If what you are trying to do is provide greater spatial clarity for different activities in different areas, we are agnostic. However, we welcome clarity on the process moving forward.