The Irish government has come under fire from environmental groups for failing to introduce the Marine Protected Areas Bill, which would commit to effectively protecting 30% of Ireland's seas by 2030, as promised since July 2023. The Fair Seas coalition, which has been leading the campaign for strong and ambitious legislation to protect marine biodiversity, warned that the government is running out of time to see the Bill introduced, debated, and enacted before the end of this government's term.
The Bill was due to be published in the Dáil before the Easter recess, but with that deadline having passed, the coalition is concerned that the government is now in real danger of missing its target. Dr Donal Griffin, Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator, said, "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 the delays in introducing the Bill have real consequences for the State's ability to reach important international environmental and climate targets. Failure 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."
The Fair Seas coalition 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. The environmental group urged the Irish government to act quickly and deliver on its commitment to key environmental legislation.