Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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317. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on Ireland’s marine protected areas [53276/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Achieving an expanded and effective network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Irish waters continues to be a priority. In this regard, the Government remains committed to achieving 30% coverage of MPAs in our Maritime Area by 2030, in line with the Programme for Government, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a number of International initiatives such as the UN post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

On 27 July 2022 the Government gave its approval for the development of a General Scheme of new stand-alone legislation that will enable MPAs in our waters to be defined, designated and effectively managed.

Work has been ongoing on this proposed legislation since July, including engagement with the Office of the Attorney General. It is intended to seek approval for the publication of the General Scheme as soon as possible.

The proposed MPA legislation is intended to work in parallel with our Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 and the full suite of existing legal biodiversity protection measures, such as provisions under the Wildlife Acts, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, and the EU Common Fisheries Policy for example. This is in order to effectively balance all conservation requirements and the long-term, sustainable use of Ireland’s valuable and diverse marine environment.

Further details of the substantive work, outcomes and consultations undertaken so far by my Department are available through the following link: gov.ie/en/publication/e00ec-marine-protected-areas/.