Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is the question of the review which we discussed earlier. Six years is too far away for a review. The Minister of State indicated, and maybe he will confirm, that his intention is to have a review within two years. This amendment is saying that, ideally, it should be sooner than two years and it should be as soon as possible. This is the precautionary principle and the idea that while a full review should ideally be commenced and carried out within the immediate period, there are a couple of key areas of high concern which should be reviewed, even pending a fuller review. One is compliance with the maritime spatial planning directive. We have quoted that directive back and forth to each other. The Minister of State can hear the real concern about the detail of that directive and how that is reflected in these processes. It is not enough for it to be there in the background. It is a matter of making sure that the processes under our national marine planning framework are fit for purpose and fully compliant with the marine spatial planning directive. I have made my case about interim protections.

The Minister of State has expressed positive sentiments that agree with me about many matters but I have not really had assurance about what happens in the meantime. New research has recently discovered new coral reef areas and shark habitats. How do we protect them and ensure that nothing happens to them, pending a proper review or marine protected areas being designated? The projects under the current national marine planning framework need to be consistent with the marine spatial planning directive. This is all in the context of the delayed implementation of marine protected areas. I should point out that marine protected areas are not the only thing that we are waiting on. There is also the question of sites designated under the birds and habitats directives. Moving from sea to land, there are many areas designated as special areas of conservation. I urge the Minister of State, who has the power to designate special areas of conservation, to move more rapidly on this if it is to happen within the term of this Government. All of these processes are in play. This is a set of urgent reviews to make sure that we do no harm in the interim.

What was the grouping?