A Public Consultation on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the MPA Advisory Group report entitled “Expanding Ireland’s Marine Protected Area Network” is currently open and will run until 5pm on Friday 30 July 2021.

This important consultation dealing with marine area-based conservation in Ireland, now and into the future, invites all stakeholders and members of the public to submit their views and comments.

The focus of this consultation is on the future process for expanding Ireland’s MPA network, not on particular spaces, sites or regions that might be suited to further or new protection. However the report on which the consultation is based does consider in detail and, in general terms, asks all participants: What should be protected, Why should it be protected and How it should be protected.

The public consultation material, including a PDF copy of the report and an Online Survey to submit views and opinions on the report and its findings, is available in both Irish and English. This material can be accessed through the following webpages, respectively:

https://www.gov.ie/ga/comhairliuchan/comhairliuchan-poibli-ar-thuarascail-ghrupa-comhairleach-saineolaithe-dar-teideal-lionra-na-limistear-muiri-faoi-chosaint-in-eirinn-a-leathnu-amach/

https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/45271-public-consultation-on-expert-advisory-group-report-entitled-expanding-irelands-marine-protected-area-network/

Further information may be also obtained via our Marine Protected Areas pages:

https://www.gov.ie/ga/foilsiuchan/4380b-limisteir-mhuiri-faoi-chosaint/

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e00ec-marine-protected-areas/

You will also find an associated Press Release here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/22f3a-government-takes-next-step-towards-marine-protected-areas-forming-30-of-irelands-maritime-area/