Government Approves Drafting of New Marine Protected Areas Bill
Friday 10 July 2026
The Irish Government has approved the drafting of a new bill to establish a legal framework for designating and managing Marine Protected Areas.
The Government has approved the drafting of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026. This legislative development will amend the existing Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 to establish a formal legal basis for designating and managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across Irish waters.
Under the proposed legislation, MPAs will be designated through existing spatial planning mechanisms, specifically Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs). The Bill is designed to support Ireland's international commitment to protect 30% of its maritime area by 2030.
Impact on Future Planning Applications
A notable provision of the proposed Bill mandates that all future marine plans, maritime proposals, and planning applications must have regard to three critical security interests:
- Food security
- Energy security
- Economic security
Stakeholder Engagement and Regulations
The legislation details requirements for public and stakeholder engagement, which may include the co-design of individual MPAs, identification of specific species and habitats requiring protection, and the creation of formal management plans. Additionally, the Bill contains provisions to regulate harmful activities within designated areas, introducing associated offences and penalties where deemed necessary.