Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 10, line 19, after “exploitation,” to insert “restoration,”

In listing the kinds of activities in which jurisdictional activity might be taken, "exploitation", which may be a legacy of our relationship with the sea, and "conservation" are both mentioned in the legislation. I seek to insert the word "restoration". In that context, the fact is, unfortunately, that research is showing us that large amounts of our marine habitats have been very significantly degraded.Much as the same debates that we have on peatlands and many other habitats and environments here in Ireland, conservation in itself is not necessarily enough when we already have had processes of extreme damage in some cases. Restoration may be an area that needs jurisdiction and all of the actions that are associated with jurisdiction.

I understand from speaking with officials is that there is a concern that the language in the Bill echoes the UN convention and there is a desire not to stray further than that. While the UN convention sets our baseline, nonetheless, I suggest that we may look to interpret the convention. Let us remember that these conventions evolved through interpretation, so if the word "restoration" cannot be inserted, for example, then I ask that the definition and interpretation of "conservation" should incorporate a component that addresses the issue of restoration and would be conservation in that wider sense. I ask for this because we do not want to simply press pause on a situation that is already unacceptable in terms of environmental biodiversity.

There are wonderful restoration projects in Wicklow, Galway and other places. There are many brilliant initiatives that restore marine biodiversity and ecosystems, which are again in line with our obligations under the sustainable development goal, SDG, on life below water, which is also a UN obligation under the SDGs. My amendment seeks to bring our legislation up to speed with our UN commitments.