Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

83. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of Ireland’s marine protected areas. [53258/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In Ireland, we currently have an array of sites that have been designated for the conservation of species and habitats listed under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the Wildlife Acts. In the sea, such sites amount to currently 2.1% of our extensive Maritime Area, with a high proportion of the conserved sites being situated around our coasts and offshore islands, and in numerous bays and estuaries.

In line with several International and EU agreements and initiatives, Ireland has committed to do more to protect and safeguard areas in our seas and ocean, and to ensure that maritime activities are sustainable for the natural environment and for us as people who depend on it.

In this regard my Department and I have made significant efforts in recent years to deliver on our country's commitments and obligations where marine protected areas (MPAs) are concerned. Further details on this substantive work, its outcomes and the consultations undertaken so far by my Department, are available through the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/e00ec-marine-protected-areas/

Achieving an expanded and effective network of MPAs in Irish waters is a crucial but attainable goal to ensure the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable marine ecosystems, and it continues to be a priority of mine and of my Department. 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 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.