Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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343. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the marine protected areas Bill will be published; how the legislation will apply to projects that applied for planning permission prior to the Bill’s publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46633/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to achieving 30% Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage of Ireland's 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. My Department has been working in close collaboration with Parliamentary drafters over the past months to develop the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Bill. I anticipate that the Bill will be published before the end of the year.

This proposed legislation will provide us with the tools to achieve the target for protected areas while, along with the Maritime Area Planning Act, ensuring sustainable use of the sea.

All human activities, whether licensed through the maritime planning process or through fisheries regulations or otherwise, must be carried out sustainably. This means that they must meet the applicable environmental standards which, inside the marine protected areas, can be higher for the protection of marine species and habitats. My Department is working to ensure that the Bill aligns fully with the existing maritime planning regime.