Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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340. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the establishment of an offshore maritime area as Ireland's seventh national park as outlined in the programme for Government has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10889/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently leading on the work as committed to under the Programme for Government to realise the outstanding target of 10% marine protected area (MPA) coverage in Ireland's waters as soon as is practicable, aiming for 30% by 2030. This work is being led by my Department, in consultation with other Departments and Agencies, with maritime stakeholders and with the wider public.

In broad terms, MPAs are geographically identified areas where measures are put in place to conserve marine features such as species, habitats or other parts of the marine ecosystem for example. They can take a wide variety of forms, ranging from marine reserves, sanctuaries or designated parks for example, to areas in which the sustainable use of resources is permitted or where harmful human activities are restricted.

The process underpinning this work began in 2019 with the convening of an advisory group to provide independent expert advice and recommendations on expanding Ireland’s MPA network. This advice was published in January 2021. Informed by the expert advice and  public consultation feedback my Department is now developing the necessary legislation for the identification, designation and management of MPAs. This work will continue throughout 2022 with the aim of publishing the heads of a bill in the autumn of this year. The issue of the establishment of an offshore maritime area as a national park can be considered once progress is made on the broader MPA objective.