David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 10 May 2022, if he has concluded consultations with other Departments on Ireland's possible accession to the Antarctic Treaty system; if he has formulated a recommendation for consideration by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48911/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister responsible for national and international marine environmental policy, my Department took over the policy lead role regarding Ireland's possible accession to the Antarctic Treaty System in July this year. My current priorities are to publish a General Scheme of a Marine Protected Areas Bill and to submit Ireland's Marine Strategy Framework Directive revised Programme of Measures to the European Commission.

In regard to the Antarctic Treaty System it is my intention to form an inter-departmental group at the start of 2023 to determine what level of participation is appropriate for Ireland as a developed Northern European State and to identify the structures and associated resource requirements for this participation. This group will look at how this ties in with Ireland’s vision for a healthy and sustainably used global ocean. The group's report to me will form the basis of a submission to Government for consideration.