Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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253. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on ensuring that all marine protected areas only begin 500 meters offshore. [61014/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The legislative basis for my Department's work on marine protected areas (MPAs) stems from the EU Directive 2008/56/EC (The Marine Strategy Framework Directive - MSFD) and, more specifically, area based conservation measures under Article 13.4.

In this regard it is Ireland's entire maritime area, which comes under the MSFD's implementation regime, that is of relevance. It follows that all coastal and offshore marine waters should be considered in the designation and management of MPAs under the forthcoming legislation in development by the Government.

It should be noted, however, that our coastal waters situated within six nautical miles (11km approx.) of land already have a high degree of area-based conservation coverage. This existing protection is in place under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the Wildlife Acts. Further details on existing coverage by protected sites can be found in the expert MPA Advisory Group report "Expanding Ireland's Marine Protected Area Network", available at the following link: 

www.gov.ie/en/publication/e00ec-marine-protected-areas/?referrer=http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/marine-environment/marine-protected-areas/marine-protected-areas.