A new €25 million LIFE project to protect, conserve and restore the biodiversity of Ireland's marine ecosystems, has been announced by Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.

The Minister made the announcement as he welcomed the significant work that has been completed to progress legislation for Marine Protected Areas in Ireland.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are well established world-wide as an important tool to protect and conserve marine life and habitats. A network of national MPAs can contribute to the sustainable use of the sea and achieve identified conservation objectives for the marine species and habitats being protected. A well-managed network of MPAs can provide resilience against climate change and support fisheries, aquaculture, recreation, tourism, and facilitate the sustainable deployment of offshore renewable energy, all of which are significant contributors to Ireland's economy and essential to many livelihoods, especially in coastal and island communities. Ireland is committed to having 30% MPA coverage by 2030 to protect biodiversity, in line with the Programme for Government, EU strategy and related UN framework.

Speaking at the launch of a new €25m Marine Protected Areas LIFE project, in Dun Laoghaire, Minister Noonan said: "I believe this country needs a comprehensive and modern process for the designation and effective management of Marine Protected Areas. That is why we have been working on a bill that will combine robust strategic targets for marine environmental protection with real and meaningful stakeholder and public participation.

"Given the significant - and much needed - change that is envisaged by this bill, the process towards publishing it has become protracted but we absolutely have to get the legal framework right if we are to have a final piece of legislation which will be a game changer for marine protection.

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"I truly believe that with the huge investment of time and effort in this to date - by my Department, other Government Departments and the Attorney General's Office – we already have the firm foundations for a truly remarkable Bill and I hope to have the final draft published by the end of the year.

The new Marine Protected Areas LIFE project launched today involves a €25m investment which will be used to research and develop a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas in line with international best practices.

Minister Noonan added: "We are all aware of the increasing environmental challenges and pressures on marine habitats. This project will bring together local communities, environmental organisations, scientists and industry to plan and develop our Marine Protected Areas. It will focus on getting a balance between ecological protection and socio-economic development.

"In keeping with the collaborative approach, information and data created will be openly available to community, business and other interests and we will work with local experts to ensure their insights are shared.

"The project will promote ocean literacy, to help people better understand the ocean so they can make responsible and sustainable actions. Together, we can create a legacy of hope, resilience and recovery for our marine ecosystems, protecting it for generations to come.

"Ireland is working hard towards the 30% target. We have already reached one third of this goal, with new Special Areas of Conservation in the northeast Atlantic and Special Protection Areas in the northwest Irish Sea and Seas off Wexford, together comprising almost 3.25 million hectares of our marine waters. These designations have brought protected area coverage in our seas from 2.3% to almost 10% in the lifetime of this Government."

The Marine Protected Areas LIFE project is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and three research partners from the third-level sector. Three Universities will address various elements of this project: University College Dublin will focus on ecology and what the MPAs can achieve; University College Cork will consider the social side and stakeholders involved, and the University of Galway will address the economic impacts on industry and communities.

Representing the Universities, UCD's Vice President for sustainability, Professor Tasman Crowe said: "Ireland has a significant opportunity to make very impactful changes to protect and restore precious marine ecosystems and enable them to thrive. The changes will need to be carefully designed to ensure that they are effective and that the benefits and costs are shared as fairly as possible. We are delighted to work with the Government on the research and development of this important project for Ireland's environment and people."

The Marine Protected Areas Bill, due to be published before the end of 2024, will set out different degrees of protection, which will be linked to the sensitivity and fragility of the habitats or species being protected within the MPA. It will also give details of the management and enforcement process developed to support these areas.