Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

It is clear that our objectives are aligned. We know the importance of designation of at least 30% by 2030. We come at it for the right reasons. The Senator has rightly identified that fishermen and women in particular recognise the importance of protecting these habitats. We see scientific information coming this month from ICES, which sees significant cuts to our fishing opportunities for next year, particularly in the pelagic stocks. For example, mackerel is 70%, 40% for blue whiting and 20% for boarfish and equally for nephrops up to 40%, which is a 38% of a reduction. That clearly shows that if we just take it on fishing alone, let alone the other elements that we want to protect, it is under enormous pressure. By identifying suitable locations to protect and preserve what is an important feature of our maritime space, that is what it is about. I do not have an ideological hang-up in terms of what the most appropriate ways are other than to get there as quickly as possible. By using the existing legislative basis that is there in the Maritime Area Planning Act, which has been tried and tested in terms of the DMAP that has been organised off the south-east coast for offshore renewables, the same principle can be applied. We have to be mindful that whatever legislative approach we put in place is not subject to further challenge, particularly in the courts. The route we are going has the capacity to do that. If we can get there, it is about the end result rather than the means by which we achieve it.