Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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148. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure Ireland meets its commitment to protect 30% of its oceans by 2030 through the designation of Marine Protected Areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49080/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Following the transfer of marine environment functions from the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government to my Department, the Department has undertaken a review to identify the optimal legislative vehicle to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Options under consideration include alignment of the approach to designating MPAs with provisions of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. A recommendation will be brought to Government for approval in the coming weeks.

In advance of finalising the legislative approach, it is important to note that significant enabling work in relation to identification of possible MPAs has already begun. Two ecological sensitivity analyses were undertaken completing studies of the western Irish Sea and Celtic Sea to identify possible suitable areas for potential MPAs in these parts of Ireland’s maritime area, as well as developing methods, approaches and standards for identifying such suitable areas. The Irish Sea sensitivity analysis was completed and published on 19 June 2023 and the Celtic Sea analysis was completed and published on 27 June 2024.

More recently, EU-LIFE funding of €15 million has been obtained to aid in developing Ireland’s network of MPAs between now and 2030. The State will add a further €10 million in match funding for this MPA LIFE Ireland project, making a total project fund of €25 million over the period 2024-2033.

The MPA LIFE Ireland project and ongoing wider MPA process will support the implementation of the MPA legislation by ensuring the co-design, development and roll out of Marine Protected Areas as well as effective ecosystem-based management.

Regardless of the final legislative code chosen, stakeholder engagement and meaningful participation will continue to be central to the MPA process as it develops.

The Government remains committed to the earliest possible designation of an ecologically coherent network of MPAs, ensuring that Ireland achieves and maintains Good Environmental Status in its marine area and meets its target of 30% by 2030 in a way that supports integrated marine governance.