Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1615. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress made on the expansion of Ireland’s network of marine protected areas as committed to in the programme for Government; the proposed legislative and regulatory framework; whether engagement has taken place with fishers, harbour authorities and local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43369/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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In 2019 Ireland's coverage of the maritime area by protected sites stood at a little over 2%. Recent designations and proposals under the Birds and Habitats Directives have increased the coverage to approximately 10%.

As part of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) process initiated in October of that year, a great deal of work has been undertaken to advance comprehensive marine protected areas legislation. Each stage of the MPA process thus far has sought to engage the input and views of a very wide range of stakeholders, including fishers, harbour authorities, communities and the wider public.

Stakeholder engagement and meaningful participation continue to be central to the MPA process as it develops. The Government intends to reach its target of 30% coverage of Ireland's maritime area by protected areas by 2030.