Marine Protected Areas

Last night Prime-Time covered our Marine Protected Areas legislation, where we're at and what the delay is. Perspectives from fishermen and scientists. Michael Noonan expresses his regret and explains why he couldn't get the new legislation through.  An independent marine expert advisory group was set up to make recommendations for this new legislation. Instead of implementing the bill based on their report and recommendations, Timmy Dooley TD is proposing to amend an existing piece of legislation from the dept of housing (Maritime area Planning Act) that is not fit for purpose. It is less work for the dept to do it this way. It is important that the new legislation, written specifically to protect marine ecology is put in place. 

Nice to see familiar places in it too. And the basking sharks of course. Watch it on RTE Player here