Legislation is currently being prepared to enable the designation of MPAs in Irish waters. The general scheme of the MPA Bill was published on 16 December 2022 (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2fd71-general-scheme-of-marine-protected-areas-bill-2022/). On 7 October 2024, Minister Malcolm Noonan stated: “I hope to have the final draft published by the end of the year” (https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0511f-minister-noonan-announces-25-million-investment-for-the-development-of-protected-areas-for-marine-biodiversity/). However, the government was dissolved before the end of the year, and Minister Noonan lost his seat in the general election that followed.
On 15 January 2025, Fine Gael published a 162-page ‘Draft Programme for Government 2025’ (https://www.finegael.ie/app/uploads/2025/01/Programme-for-Government-2025.pdf). The draft programme for the incoming new coalition comprised an introduction and twelve chapters. The chapter titled ‘Growing our Economy’ contained a section regarding ‘Fisheries and the Marine’. A sub-section on ‘Coastal Communities’ within that section stated: “This Government will” followed by eight bullet points. Bullet point number three committed the government to ‘Review and strengthen conservation measures for marine ecosystems and wildlife. We will also expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and establish wildlife sanctuaries.’ (page 29). No mention was made regarding the Marine Protected Areas Bill that has been stalled since 2022/2023.
On 5 February 2025, during a debate in Dáil Éireann, Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage “to provide an update on marine protected area legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.” The Minister provided the following written answer: “The Marine Protected Areas Bill is at an advanced stage of drafting. It is my intention to seek government approval to publish the Bill in the first half of this year.” (Source: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-02-05/597/).
On 18 February 2025, following approval by Government earlier that day, Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Mary Butler published the Spring Legislative Programme. The programme confirmed that 21 Bills are prioritised for publication, and a further 29 Bills are scheduled for drafting over the course of the Spring 2025 13-week Dáil term. (Source: https://www.gov.ie/ga/preasraitis/cce00-government-chief-whip-minister-of-state-mary-butler-publishes-spring-legislative-programme/). The bills listed included the Marine Protected Areas Bill.
On 4 March 2025, Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister “if he will provide an update on the Marine Protected Areas Bill; if he intends to continue with the approach taken last term or if he plans to take a new approach; if the previously identified technical issues with the Bill remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter”. The Minister provided the following written answer: “The Marine Protected Areas Bill is at an advanced stage of drafting. It is intended to finalise this draft as soon as possible and seek government approval to publish the Bill this year. Most of the outstanding technical issues have been resolved. However, there are still a small number currently under consideration. The draft Bill will also need revision to reflect new Ministerial responsibilities and transfers of functions between Departments once these have taken place” (Source: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-03-04/451/).
Updates are available on the MPA webpage of the government’s website (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e00ec-marine-protected-areas/).
This page was last updated on 11 April 2025.