Timmy Dooley
Clare · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I thank both Senators for the amendments they are putting forward and the sentiment behind them. I will deal with the points about the emergency. The Government made it very clear that a decision was taken, based on a decision taken by the previous Government in November 2024.”
“The State has taken a view, however, that is consistent with our desire and our commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and onwards to 2040 and 2050, that this facility is strategic, as it says, that it is only for storage and that it is not meant to be a market play and cannot be a market play.”
“It is, but it is not an either-or situation. If €1 billion could sort it out with more batteries, wind or solar then that is the route we would be taking. We are investing very significant amounts of money in our electricity grid.”
“As the Senators know, the piece of kit – effectively the ship – will be leased in. There are a number of these around the world and they move on. First, we are not investing in the kind of infrastructure that had been a feature of discussions in the past.”
“All fossil fuels are harmful to the environment. The Senator is right that methane has a much higher concentration and is more impactful by what is referred to as the carbon dioxide equivalence. It is much greater than carbon dioxide but it also has shorter life in the atmosphere. It dissipates over time whereas carbon dioxide does not.”
“If we were to do it, however, to get the private sector to pay for the security - I think it is accepted on all sides that there is a necessity for some security in terms of the gas supply - and if the Government were to say it would provide that through a market-led private consortium and initiate an auction to allow entities around the…”
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“The current appropriate assessment process arose from a European Court of Justice case against Ireland in 2007 in which the court declared that by failing to take all the measures necessary to comply with the EU habitats directive in respect of authorisation of aquaculture programmes, Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under the directive. A backlog of aquaculture licence applications developed following the judgment. In the negotiations to address the judgment and enable aquaculture to continue in the Natura 2000 areas in the interim, a process was agreed with the European Commission and subsequently implemented.”
“The criteria to which the licensing authority shall have regard in determining an aquaculture licence application are set out in section 61 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific advisers as well as various statutory consultees, as set out in the aquaculture regulations. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation, the timing and length of which depends on the initial screening assessments carried out by the Department and the Marine Institute.”
“There is a significant and growing demand, but it is incumbent the State to get the licensing aspect right. I have identified it as a priority and I am working my way through it. Insofar as I can, I will try to address the questions the Deputy asked. By way of background, the Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the following legislation: the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997; SI 236, the Aquaculture (Licence Application) Regulations 1998; the Foreshore Act 1993, as amended; SI 477, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011; a consolidated environmental impact assessment directive of 2014; and the Aarhus Convention.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He has been in touch with me on a number of occasions to discuss the matter as it relates to operators in his constituency and further afield. I had an opportunity during the summer to visit Quinlan's Kerry Fish with the Deputy and see at first hand the implications of the issue. As somebody new to the Department, I recognised from the first that there is a significant problem with licensing. I have undertaken a job of work to try to address this. It will take time but we are working our way through it. I know at first hand the positivity that exists in terms of Irish aquaculture and the demand for the product overseas. Just three weeks ago, I was in Qingdao in China with Irish fishermen, fisherwomen and processors promoting Irish seafood to the Asian market.”
“The information we can release, we will. They are very specific questions. The IFA poultry division is in regular contact with the Department on these matters. If it is a help, I am happy on behalf of the Minister to meet with the Senator and some representatives of the flock owners to help clarify issues. It is recognised by the Government and Department how difficult this issue is for all concerned. We want to work together to limit the spread, try to get this off our books, get a disease-free status and then get back to having unrestricted movement. It is important for us to work with the people most affected at this time. I leave it open to the Senator to come back to me if he wants to meet.”
“I fully recognise the difficult and negative impact this is having on the lives and livelihoods of flock owners, particularly at this time of year. It is effectively their harvest period. They are heading into what would have been the time to make good on their year's work, recoup costs and make the little bit of profit that would allow them to exist into next year. That is really challenging. That is recognised. From a Department perspective, what we have to do right now is limit to the greatest extent possible the spread of this disease. It is about containment in the first instance. In parallel with that, we have to support flock owners and poultry farmers through the compensatory measures set out in the legislation. The Senator listed a series of detailed questions, the answers to which I will get to him insofar as I can.”
“My Department will, of course, actively engage with the owners of the stocks impacted at this stage. As we are in the early stages, it is hard to quantify the impact. What I have outlined for the Senator is that legislation and what it provides for. The Department will engage with the herd owners through local officers, as it would already be doing. As we move through this phase we will work with herd or flock owners to identify what compensation is payable based on direction given by the Department.”
“The HSE has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of the avian influenza currently circulating is considered low for the general public and low to medium for occupationally exposed people. In regard to the compensation measures, the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and in the event of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled or to an animal product, animal feed or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak. Compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or indeed the item and compensation is payable only to the owner of the animals or items affected.”
“A mandatory housing order for poultry and captive birds, with a ban on gatherings of different birds from different holdings, came into effect on Monday, 10 November. It is a dynamic and evolving situation, particularly during the current high-risk period for avian influenza due to the migration of wild birds and the extended survival of the virus in cold temperatures. Our Department continues to monitor the situation closely and is working closely with the industry and Northern Ireland colleagues to mitigate the risk and control the disease insofar as we can. Unfortunately, Ireland has lost its highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, disease-free status on foot of these recent outbreaks. This does not stop trade but it does have some specific consequences for trade in poultry meat and eggs.”
“I also thank all flock owners for their ongoing co-operation and for adhering to the biosecurity measures the Senator talked about and the housing regulations that are now in place. By working together, we can help to protect our poultry sector during this really challenging time. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has moved swiftly to implement disease control measures in line with national and EU legislation. Following the confirmation of this disease, the Department is working closely with industry to protect the poultry sector. Restriction zones, as the Senator identified, of 3 km protection and 10 km surveillance, are established around the affected premises, with strict movement controls on the movement of poultry and poultry products. Veterinary investigations and surveillance are ongoing.”
“I, too, extend a warm welcome to the students form St. Joseph's and thank them for showing an interest in what we do here on behalf of the citizens of Ireland. I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this issue. He has been in touch with me already about this and I know it is something he has a real concern about. I express my sympathy, and that of the Government, with the flock owners impacted at this really difficult time in counties Monaghan, Meath and Carlow. I acknowledge the impact this outbreak is having on the wider poultry industry. I come from a small farm myself and I know the impact the outbreak of a disease has on a family and community, and the flock owners in this case are no different.”
“We see the concerns about the difficulty in attracting inward investment, data centres and how important they are to our economic development. We need more energy. It has to be clean, without oil, coal or gas. It is going to be a challenge for the years ahead; in the next five to six years we will have to grapple with that. I take the Senator's point into account and thank her for making it.”
“I take the Senator's point about getting the right location. Any sites have to have the appropriate amount of wind. They have to be elevated or at least in a wind tunnel. Local authorities over the past ten to 15 years, through the development of county development plans, have identified areas - certainly in the county that I know best - suitable for wind energy development. In some instances, it was passed with the acquiescence of the councillors at the time and then the councillors took a different view when an element of opposition came into play. It is very difficult to get the matrix right. I know from my experience in the Department that we have a real issue as a country in meeting future demand from an electricity supply perspective. It is significant.”
“It is still important that communities engage collectively, come together and seek the best professional advice in terms of making submissions - there is nothing wrong with that. I meet people who are supportive of renewable energy but say, "This might be a little bit too much for my community." The system is there to protect everybody. If people, first of all, look at the really positive benefits of taking out fossil fuels from the energy mix and of recognising that there is potential gain for the community and juxtapose that with what might be their objections and engage with the planning process fully, there is an opportunity to work through all of that.”
“I set that out in the full knowledge that somebody who does not want a wind turbine close to their home sees little benefit in that community gain because they see others benefiting from it and they feel there is an imposition on them. It is not for me to lecture anybody. I see some communities and people who have real concerns and then the wind turbines are there a while and they accept them. There is a lot of concern about the devaluation of property but, in truth, it does not materialise. There is an initial shock to say, "Who would ever buy my home?" Most homes will never be for sale anyway, quite frankly, because they are people's homes. So long as there is proper planning and appropriate measures are taken, it generally works out reasonably well.”
“Analysis that has been done by the ESRI suggests that early delivery of onshore wind this decade will drive down wholesale electricity prices by up to 10%. That is important for homeowners and it is important, from an Irish perspective, in terms of attracting jobs to Ireland. Another clear advantage of offshore wind development, particularly for rural communities, as the Senator will be familiar with, lies in the opportunity it affords to meaningful community benefit. Under the renewable electricity support scheme, all projects receiving State support are required to establish a community benefit fund. These funds ensure that host communities share directly in the value generated by the wind energy. They enable investment in community facilities, educational initiatives and local energy efficiency measures.”
“As an island nation with one of the best wind resources in the world, Ireland is uniquely positioned to lead Europe's renewable electricity future. We are a world leader in onshore wind. As I said, we get a greater share of our electricity - approximately 35% - from onshore wind farms than anywhere else in Europe. That is important in terms of decarbonising our economy. Deploying onshore wind at scale reduces our reliance on imported fossil fuels, which are subject, as the Senator will be aware, to volatile global markets. By generating electricity domestically, it will stabilise and potentially lower energy prices for consumers. I set that out to put a context on why wind farms and solar farms are an important part of our energy mix.”
“I thank Senator Collins for raising what is an important issue. It is an issue that is regularly vented in both Houses. I come across it regularly in my constituency, as does the Senator. It is important that we try to put in context why we as a State are encouraging renewable energy, and the importance of it. It is important that people in communities engage collectively and also with the developer in the first instance. Some of the developers do not make enough effort to engage with the local community and that is regrettable. Of course, it is, as set out in law, available to any citizen or group to make submissions to the local authority or, indeed, to An Coimisiún Pleanála in relation to issues so that proper planning is followed. That is part of the process generally.”
“If I am, I may be rejecting some amendments but they will be thought through and worked through and we will try to see if there is anything further Members can add.”
“We have to try to have as broad a series of measures that will meet the various different cohorts and encourage people to make that change. I go back to what Senator O'Reilly said. There are significant carrots there rather than the big stick. The big stick here is about the rogue operators that are flouting the law as it stands or challenging the solid citizens who try to do their business appropriately. It is about trying to end that practice. I thank all Members for their contributions and look forward to the next Stages of the Bill and working through the different elements of it. If any Member has any ideas, he or she should work with us and come forward with amendments. We will certainly give consideration to them. I may or may not be the person back here taking it on the next Stage.”
“The SEAI does good work through the one-stop-shop, etc., in identifying the schemes that are there, assisting people in upgrading their homes and encouraging people to commit a bit of capital where they can. There are some who are fortunate enough to have paid down their mortgages and are in a position to invest in their homes again. This is being encouraged with support. I know there are loans available from some financial institutions where the work done is green in nature. All the financial institutions are providing supports there. I do not offer this as a panacea because I am fairly conscious that many people are struggling to just pay their mortgages and feed and educate their children. That is a difficult cohort.”
“This is really aimed at targeting those most at threat of fuel poverty and taking the burden off them of using cheaper or poorer materials. Getting those who are least well-off into a sustainable position so that we remove the necessity to burn solid fuel by doing deeper retrofits is very much a plank of this Government and the previous one. I know the councils have a programme of upgrading their own council stock. All new builds are built to a much higher standard, which is appropriate. There is a considerable amount of work to be done. The next figure I saw was of €8 billion to be spent over the next couple of years as part of the overall retrofit programme.”
“In 2000, we had a plan to get about 500,000 houses retrofitted by 2030. I think we are probably retrofitting homes at a rate of between 60,000 and 70,000 per year. Covid obviously had an impact on the roll-out of that but that is the way forward. Many Senators will be familiar with the warmer homes scheme because they host clinics and meet people on an ongoing basis. It speaks to the point made by Senators Duffy and Collins that we cannot put all these restrictions and regulation on people who are struggling to get by. The increase in the fuel allowance goes some way towards that but there is also the warmer homes scheme. I do not have the figure to hand but according to one of the figures I saw recently, about 150,000 homes have been upgraded free of charge to a B2 standard or higher.”
“This is not about the individual. It is about the commercial operators and principally those acting in an anti-competitive way against those who are complying with the law. It is about improving the powers that are there relating to that. It is important to recognise that there are things we can do for people in their communities. More supports can be provided in respect of clean spaces and greener initiatives in communities. That is really important. In their town plans, many local authorities are working really well towards having open spaces, a lot more foliage and far more green space, which will also have a beneficial impact on the quality of the air we breathe. That is really important. Senators Blaney and Duffy spoke about the necessity of moving more quickly with regard to retrofitting.”
“She spoke about councils being able to identify any individual willy-nilly and seeking to appoint him or her and give him or her powers to enter homes, etc. That is not the case. Warrants will be required. In respect of forfeiture, An Garda Síochána would have to be involved, along with Revenue officials, so this is not just about picking the next person in the line and giving him or her draconian powers. That is not at all what is envisaged. Section 53K relates to registration bodies that will register producers, transporters and retailers and nothing else. It does not involve house searches or house entry, so I ask Senator O'Reilly to read that again. I do not want to suggest that she has not read it but she may be misunderstanding what we intend to do here. There is nothing further that relates to turbary rights.”
“Of course, anybody that is involved in any act that is contrary to the law is subject to the laws here, but trying to apply that is more difficult when people reside outside the State. Therefore, the fixed penalty and forfeiture notices constitute a recognition of the issues. The broader point was made that if we retrofitted more homes, we reduced the necessity of using solid fuel. Senator Collins identified her journey in that regard. We recognise that an element of solid fuel continues to play a part for some for historical, cultural and practical reasons that have been identified. In response to Senator O'Reilly, that does not relate to the provisions of this Bill. The Bill goes nowhere near any attachment to turbary rights or anything relating to individual homes.”
“Senators Blaney, Duffy and Collins talked about the North-South dimension. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and his officials are, through the ministerial council, in regular contact, and I believe there is a meeting to discuss that. Senator Blaney rightly identified the Border trade. When I was a Member of this House and had responsibility as spokesperson in this area, I regularly looked for movement and for this Bill to come forward because there is an illicit trade across the Border. That is why the provisions are set out on forfeiture and seizure of equipment because it is very hard to bring people before the courts who dip in and dip out of the jurisdiction, but if you can take their equipment before they get back across the Border, that is certainly a way to address the issue.”
“I thank the Senators for their contributions. I appreciate their engagement. I will try to respond in the time I have available to a couple of the points that have been raised. There will be a fuller opportunity as we move to subsequent Stages to thrash out the details and, of course, any amendments that might come forward on those Stages. Senator Blaney is right about the impact it has had. As I said, and other Senators have reflected, this is about human health and the capacity of communities and citizens to live, insofar as possible, in a clean air environment. It is not about climate change, quite frankly, although that is important. It is principally about bronchial health. It is about particulate matter in the air and trying to get rid of that insofar as we can.”
“It is about protecting lives, reducing the burden on our health service and meeting our commitments under both national and European law. It is about preserving Ireland’s reputation as a leader in air quality policy and avoiding the reputational and financial damage of non-compliance. Cleaner air is something we all want for our families and our communities. This Bill provides the necessary tools to achieve it. I look forward to Members' contributions this evening and welcome the opportunity to engage in productive discussions on the provisions. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“Section 22 allows for the sharing of information between local authorities, registration bodies, authorised persons and other relevant entities subject to data protection safeguards. This ensures enforcement is joined up and more efficient and effective. Section 23 provides for amendments to the first Schedule which updates the list of pollutants covered by the legislation, bringing it into line with modern science and EU requirements. In summary, Part 1 tidies up the legislative framework and Part 2 strengthens enforcement and local authority powers, introduces a modern regulatory regime for solid fuel operators with registers, compliance notice and seizure powers and enables proper data sharing and updates pollutant definitions. The Bill is about ensuring that the fuels available on the Irish market are cleaner, healthier and safer.”
“It sets out the process for applying to be registered, how applications are considered, grounds for refusal, and notification and appeals procedures. It requires registration details to be published online, increasing transparency. It provides for removal from the register in cases of non-compliance, with rights to make submissions and appeals. It provides a powerful tool to immediately remove non-compliant fuels from the market, protecting consumers and air quality. Authorised officers can seize fuels, containers or even vehicles if they are connected with an offence and the new Part provides a court-based process for determining whether seized items should be forfeited or returned, with an appeal mechanism.”
“In addition, air quality management plans prepared by local authorities are subject to ministerial direction to ensure national consistency. Section 21 inserts a new Part VA in the Act. This Part covers fuel regulations and registers and replaces and updates the current Part IA of the existing Act. The main changes from the original are that Part VA now establishes clear offences and penalties for contravening those regulations. It provides for the appointment, criteria and potential removal of registration bodies. It sets out rules for oversight - the Minister may issue directions or guidelines and registration bodies must comply. It includes provisions for funding, fees, obligations and offences where a registration body fails to meet its duties.”
“They include safeguards such as warrants, appeals processes and indemnity for officers acting in good faith. Section 11 allows the Minister to establish registers for persons engaged in producing, selling or transporting solid fuels. This section provides the legal backbone for the new system of registration and compliance monitoring. Sections 12 to 20, inclusive, are a restatement of some of the existing provisions of the current Act but also provide strengthened enforcement powers for local authorities. Clearer offences and penalties are created for smoke emissions that exceed legal limits, for ignoring notices served by local authorities to limit emissions or failure by an operator to notify a local authority of an incident that creates air pollution.”
“This prevents operators from sitting out the system without consequence. Section 7 reintroduces the system of on-the-spot fines for breaches of the solid fuel regulations by commercial operators. They will be set at €1,000 and are designed to provide a quick, proportionate enforcement tool without the need for lengthy court proceedings. Sections 8 to 10, inclusive, provide for the appointment of authorised officers by either the Minister or local authorities. They clarify and expand their enforcement powers including with regard to entering premises, with warrants of course expressly required for entry to private dwellings where entry is refused, stopping and detaining vehicles but only with the Garda or Revenue present, serving compliance notices, and inspecting fuels, documents and records.”
“Section 2 confirms the principal Act being amended is the Air Pollution Act 1987. Section 3 repeals certain outdated provisions in the 1987 Act and in related environmental legislation from 2011 and 2015. The purpose is to remove redundant material so the law is clearer and easier to apply. Section 4 expands the legal definition of "air pollution" so it also covers situations where emissions cause damage to property or create a nuisance. This makes the law more comprehensive and responsive to real-world impacts. Section 5 further updates and rationalises definitions across the 1987 Act. Section 6 recreates a mechanism for imposing additional ongoing fines where an offence continues over time, for example, if false information is repeatedly provided or if records or labels are persistently missing.”
“In addition there is provision for enhanced solid fuel registers for producers, retailers and transporters to ensure only compliant operators can legally trade. There will be clearer processes for registration and removal from the register, including appeals mechanisms, to improve transparency and accountability. These measures will strengthen compliance and ensure consumers can trust that the fuels they purchase are cleaner and safer. I will outline the provisions of the Bill to clarify its content. The Bill comprises 23 sections. Section 1 gives the Act its formal name and allows different provisions to be commenced at different times by ministerial order. This is, as Senators will know, a relatively standard practice which gives flexibility so complex parts, such as the new registers, can be rolled out in stages.”
“It strengthens the enforcement toolkit available to local authorities and provides greater regulatory clarity. Its main provisions include the reintroduction of fixed penalty notices, which are also known as on-the-spot fines, which is something I think we are all familiar with in other areas of life. In this case they will be for breaches of the solid fuel regulations by commercial producers, retailers or transporters to ensure quick and proportionate enforcement. Another provision is the compliance notices, which will require corrective action be taken within a specified timeframe to encourage compliance. Seizure and forfeiture powers to allow enforcement officers to remove noncompliant fuel from commercial circulation immediately also form part of this Bill.”
“One of the key tools to improve our air quality has been the solid fuel regulations of 2022, which focus on improving the standard of solid fuels which are placed on the market to ensure they emit lower levels of air pollution. There is no such thing, of course, as a non-polluting solid fuel, so it is about trying to identify as best we can solid fuels with the lowest level of emissions and the least impact on our environment. The Air Pollution Act 1987 has served us well, but its enforcement provisions are outdated. The solid fuel regulations were a major step forward, but experience has shown that local authorities lack sufficient powers to enforce them effectively to ensure only compliant solid fuel is being made commercially available for sale. That is what this Bill is essentially about. I turn to the key provisions of the Bill.”
“Although we are compliant with current EU air quality standards, our Clean Air Strategy for Ireland and our programme for Government commit us to doing more as we recognise that any level of air pollution has negative impacts. Indeed, new more stringent air quality limits have been agreed at EU level and will apply from 2030. As set out in the second clean air strategy annual progress report, there are a number of areas around the country at risk of exceeding the new limits as a result of pollution from the burning of residential solid fuel. Failing to meet those standards will mean we have failed the communities living in the affected areas, not to mention the potential for infringement proceedings for non-compliance with EU law.”
“Beyond physical health, research now shows that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter is linked to many conditions, including depression and anxiety. This is why improving air quality is not optional; we believe it is essential. Cleaner air means healthier, longer lives, fewer hospital admissions and lower costs to our health system. The two main sources of air pollution in Ireland are residential solid fuel burning and emissions from the transport sector. While we are making progress through investment in public transport, active travel and retrofitting homes, we must also act decisively on solid fuel burning.”
“I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank Members for their presence. I am pleased to introduce the Second Stage of the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025. At its heart, this Bill is about safeguarding public health, protecting our environment and ensuring Ireland remains a leader in delivering clean air for our people. Air pollution is a silent killer. Around 1,700 premature deaths in Ireland each year are linked directly to poor air quality. That is around ten times the number of annual road fatalities and, unfortunately, it is not discussed in the way in which we talk about road deaths. The personal cost to families is profound. The economic costs are also stark. The ESRI has estimated that between 2016 and 2019, treating just five air pollution-related conditions cost the State over €56 million.”
“By identifying suitable locations to protect and preserve what is an important feature of our maritime space, that is what it is about. I do not have an ideological hang-up in terms of what the most appropriate ways are other than to get there as quickly as possible. By using the existing legislative basis that is there in the Maritime Area Planning Act, which has been tried and tested in terms of the DMAP that has been organised off the south-east coast for offshore renewables, the same principle can be applied. We have to be mindful that whatever legislative approach we put in place is not subject to further challenge, particularly in the courts. The route we are going has the capacity to do that. If we can get there, it is about the end result rather than the means by which we achieve it.”
“It is clear that our objectives are aligned. We know the importance of designation of at least 30% by 2030. We come at it for the right reasons. The Senator has rightly identified that fishermen and women in particular recognise the importance of protecting these habitats. We see scientific information coming this month from ICES, which sees significant cuts to our fishing opportunities for next year, particularly in the pelagic stocks. For example, mackerel is 70%, 40% for blue whiting and 20% for boarfish and equally for nephrops up to 40%, which is a 38% of a reduction. That clearly shows that if we just take it on fishing alone, let alone the other elements that we want to protect, it is under enormous pressure.”
“The MPA LIFE Ireland project and ongoing wider MPA process will ensure the codesign, development and roll-out of MPAs as well as effective ecosystem-based management.”
“To help inform the future designation of MPAs once legislation is in place, two ecological sensitivity analyses were commissioned from an independent expert MPA advisory group. These studies of the western Irish Sea and the Celtic Sea identified possible suitable areas for potential MPAs in these parts of Ireland's maritime area. They also developed methods, approaches and standards for identifying such suitable areas. Such analyses of our western and northern maritime area are planned in the future. Additionally, EU LIFE funding of €15 million has been obtained to aid in developing Ireland's MPA network. The State will add a further €10 million in matched funding to this, making a total project fund of €25 million over the period from 2024 to 2033.”
“On the legislation - regardless of whether it will be an amendment to the Maritime Area Planning Act or the continuation of the existing, if that is what is ultimately decided - I assure the Senator that if it is a bolt-on piece to the Maritime Area Planning Act, it will include: extensive and meaningful public and stakeholder engagement; the identification of species, habitats and ecosystem services that are at risk and which require protection and-or restoration - an ecosystem service being a benefit achieved from the environment; the identification of optimal locations to protect these features and designation of marine protected areas with clear conservation objectives; the appointment of a management authority for MPAs; a requirement for management plans for MPAs; a requirement for bodies authorising, licensing or permitting an activity in an MPA to have regard for its conservation objectives; and, where necessary, the regulation of harmful activities in an MPA, with associated offences and penalties as appropriate.”
“I have a view, which I have expressed and with which the Senator is familiar, but it will ultimately be a decision of the Government. I am hopeful that this will progress in the very near future and I expect that it will be at Cabinet before Christmas. However, I assure Senator Noonan that the extensive work that has already been undertaken on drafting, and he was very much part of drafting that marine protected area legislation, will certainly not go to waste. It certainly informed me along the way and continues to inform our officials.”
“For me, it was about trying to ensure that we get there as quickly as possible, through an ecologically coherent network of MPAs, and achieving this by empowering us to use the existing spatial planning tool, namely, the DMAP process of designated marine area plans and that is currently under consideration. MPAs could fit well, I believe, into the DMAP structures and their inclusion in the MPA, if decided, would further embed environmental matters in planning legislation, supporting sustainable planning of human activity in our seas, thereby integrating the ecosystem-based approach to management of our maritime areas. Accordingly, it is intended to bring a proposal for Government's approval shortly on the preferred approach.”
“The other option considered was to align the designation of MPAs with the provisions of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which provides for forward planning, occupancy management and enforcement within a maritime area. In determining which option is optimal, consideration has been given to the opportunity to consolidate marine legislation and not duplicate or reproduce similar procedures in a separate Act. We have to be mindful of the most efficient way to ensure we meet Ireland's target of protecting 30% of the maritime area by 2030. Anything I have done since coming to office has been aimed at trying to achieve our stated ambition of designating 30% of the maritime area protected by 2030.”
“This is a key step in protecting our seas and ensuring a healthy, productive and sustainably used marine environment. On foot of the transfer of the marine environment functions from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Department has undertaken a review to identify the optimum legislative vehicle to designate effectively and manage MPAs. The Government decision was to try to bring the whole marine function under one Minister of State, and I was fortunate enough to be given that opportunity. One option was to continue with a stand-alone Bill, creating an entirely new and separate statutory designation process in the Irish marine area. The Senator advanced the legislative elements of that very well.”