FAIR SEAS HIGHLIGHTS INEXCUSABLE DELAYS TO MARINE PROTECTION LEGISLATION

Fair Seas Highlights Inexcusable Delays to Marine Protection Legislation

Government misses another target to introduce Marine Protected Area Bill

Government credibility on its commitment to key environmental legislation is wearing thin, with the government missing another deadline to introduce the Marine Protected Areas Bill, according to the Fair Seas coalition.

The forthcoming Bill, which has been promised since July 2023, was due to be published in the Dáil before the Easter recess, but with that deadline having passed, Fair Seas is warning that the government is now in real danger of running out of time to see this Bill introduced, debated and amended and enacted before the end of this government’s term.

The environmental coalition also warned that the delays in introducing the Bill have real consequences for the State’s ability to reach important international environmental and climate targets.

Dr Donal Griffin, Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator said “Even if this government runs its full term as promised by the new Taoiseach, it will be a challenge for the government to get it over the line before the next general election. That said, there is still a small window now for the government to deliver this Bill, but that has to happen as soon as the Dáil reconvenes after Easter. This legislation is our best hope of protecting and conserving Ireland’s marine biodiversity and is too important to be forced quickly through the Oireachtas. There can be no further delays.”

Dr Griffin added, “Every delay makes it harder for the government to achieve its target of designating 30% of Irish seas as Marine Protected Areas. This has knock-on consequences for Ireland’s ability to meet its offshore renewable energy targets, as the offshore energy sector requires MPA legislation to help identify potential offshore development sites.

The Coalition also noted that failure by this government to deliver this Bill, which has been called for by a petition of 20,000 Irish people, will reflect very badly on the government parties come election time.

Rebecca Dudley, Science Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said, “The stakes are high, but the government still has time to publish this bill and move it quickly to Committee stage where amendments can be debated to further strengthen the legislation. All this is possible, but only if the government moves quickly once the Dáil resumes after Easter. A legacy of having failed to deliver this important biodiversity and climate related legislation, one that commands so much public support, will not go down well with voters who have consistently said that they want to see strong MPA legislation introduced urgently.”

The Fair Seas coalition has been campaigning for strong and ambitious legislation committing to effectively protecting 30% of the seas around Ireland by 2030, with 10% strictly protected. The group is calling for stakeholder engagement at every stage, clear delivery timeframes and a robust management framework, with targeted, site-specific measures to ensure MPAs deliver for nature.

Source

Main Image: A message in the sand calling for 30% of Ireland’s seas to be protected by 2030 to give our species, habitats and coastal communities the opportunity to thrive.

Sand Artist: Sean Corcoran, The Art Hand. Location: Kilmurrin Beach, Co. Waterford. Photographer: Tony Kinlan, Aerial.ie