Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Measures in relation to the protection of marine animals are a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife service under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I have no role in the formulation or enforcement of those measures.

I understand that such measures under that Department's remit include:

- The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018, which states all cetaceans and seals are protected species listed on the 5th Schedule.

- Under the OSPAR Convention to Protect the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, Ireland is committed to establishing marine protected areas to protect biodiversity. 

In Autumn 2019, the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage initiated a process aimed at expanding Ireland’s network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the coming years.  

I am aware that, in line with the Wildlife Acts, when ports are undertaking dredging or dumping at sea activities, they use the services of a Marine Mammal Observer to mitigate any impact on marine mammals in the area. 

In relation to my Department's role, it is responsible for legislating for the prevention of pollution from ships.  The Coast Guard, within the Department of Transport, is tasked with Marine Pollution response and also examining Oil Pollution response plans for Port and Local authorities around the coast. These activities also prevent and mitigate harmful pollution to marine mammals from ship based activities.