Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Although it is not necessarily just from the Minister of State, there is almost a narrative that we should not worry because there are other protections and ways of assessing these areas. If that was the case, of course, why would we have marine protected areas, this planning framework, sensitivity mapping or all this work? I am not confident, from what is being said, that these areas will get the same level of protection as they would in a few years if marine protected areas were in place. Therefore, there is a need for interim measures or protections to ensure damage or mistakes are not made at this point. Will the Minister of State address that?

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