Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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773. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline his plans to effectively manage, monitor and enforce marine protected areas, MPAs, as they increase from the current 8.3% spatial coverage to 30% coverage of Irish waters by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17021/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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As a matter of priority, my Department is currently engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to draw up a Bill to provide for the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to protect, conserve and, where appropriate, restore threatened species, habitats and ecosystems. These will complement our existing network of de facto MPAs consisting of marine Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas under the Habitats and Birds Directives.

The proposed Marine Protected Areas Bill will include specific provisions for the effective management, monitoring and enforcement of MPAs. Each MPA designated will have a specific set of conservation objectives and a management plan which will include an appropriate monitoring programme

It is my intention is to seek Government approval to publish this Bill at the earliest opportunity.