Ireland is moving to strengthen protection for its marine environment, with the government approving the drafting of new legislation aimed at safeguarding coastal and offshore waters. The latest gov.ie announcement marks a significant step in the State’s Marine Protected Areas strategy, while also reinforcing maritime planning rules that will shape infrastructure, biodiversity protection and ocean governance for years to come.
The proposed Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026 will update the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 and create a clearer legal route for the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, in Irish waters. The plan is to use existing Designated Maritime Area Plans, known as DMAPs, to support both environmental protection and the efficient delivery of strategic marine projects.
Marine Protected Areas legislation moves ahead in Ireland
According to the government, the bill is designed to help Ireland meet its target of protecting 30% of its maritime area by 2030 in an ecologically coherent way. It also supports obligations under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the National Marine Planning Framework.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien said the legislation will help Ireland maintain good environmental status across its maritime area while also enabling sustainable use of the seas. Minister of State Timmy Dooley added that the process will include detailed public participation and build on stakeholder engagement already undertaken through the DMAP and MPA frameworks.
- A legislative basis for designating Marine Protected Areas
- Management authorities and conservation objectives for protected sites
- Public and stakeholder participation in the designation process
- Stronger regulation of harmful activities in protected marine zones
- Support for streamlined maritime planning and critical infrastructure delivery
How the updated planning model will work
Rather than creating a separate standalone MPA law, the State has opted to fold the new system into the existing maritime planning regime. That means DMAPs will become the main spatial planning tool for identifying and managing protected marine areas, while also aligning with broader national priorities in Climate Action, Transport, Agriculture and offshore renewable energy.
This joined-up approach is likely to matter not only to the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department handling Climate Action, but also to public bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), An Bord Pleanála, the Office of Public Works (OPW), Tailte Éireann and the Marine Institute, all of which have roles in planning, mapping, environmental assessment or marine data.
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Ireland’s first Marine Planning Policy Statement sets direction
Alongside the bill, ministers also presented Ireland’s first statutory Marine Planning Policy Statement to government. This document is intended to guide policy making, plan making and planning decisions across the maritime space, creating a more consistent national framework.
The statement highlights key priorities including food security, energy security and economic security. It is expected to influence future marine plans, planning applications and proposals, including the National DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy, which remains on track for completion by the end of 2027.
The wider implications stretch across multiple departments and agencies, from Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Health, Social Protection, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Justice, Education and Public Expenditure, especially where marine development, regulation and environmental safeguards intersect.
Why the EU Ocean Act Conference in Wexford matters
The legislative push coincided with the EU Ocean Act Conference in Wexford, held during Ireland’s Presidency programme. The event brought together European policymakers, industry figures, environmental organisations and maritime stakeholders to discuss ocean governance, maritime security, sustainable development, innovation and ocean observation.
For Ireland, the conference underlined the importance of shaping the future European Ocean Act. As an island nation, the State’s marine policy has consequences for biodiversity, coastal communities, fisheries, renewable energy and economic resilience.
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What happens next for Marine Protected Areas?
Drafting of the bill is set to begin shortly before publication and presentation to the Oireachtas. In parallel, ecological sensitivity studies in the western Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Atlantic waters are helping identify habitats, species and ecosystem services that may need protection or restoration.
With additional support from the €25 million MPA LIFE Ireland project, the State is positioning Marine Protected Areas as a central pillar of future marine governance. The key takeaway is clear: Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas framework is no longer just a policy ambition on gov.ie, but an emerging legal structure that could redefine how the country protects its seas while balancing national development.
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Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
