With the recent announcement of 23 new Ministers of State, the final makeup of the new government is now apparent. These Junior Ministers will join the cabinet already announced, and all are responsible for delivering the Programme for Government (PfG) over the coming five years.
In a time of unprecedented concern for the environment the PfG has been criticised for being light on specifics for climate and biodiversity, and especially vague on the marine. The overdue Marine Protected Area (MPA) Bill, vital for the protection of our seas and to inform marine spatial planning in the years ahead, doesn’t even warrant a mention. Government intends to “…review and strengthen conservation measures for marine ecosystems and wildlife. We will also expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and establish wildlife sanctuaries”, notwithstanding the absence of the legislation to achieve this. The Nature Restoration Law, which commits us to restoring at least 20% of our land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050, is mentioned only in the context of farming and land use. Critically the PfG ignores the marine obligations.
The PfG commits to the re-establishment of a Minister for Fisheries and the Marine and we are pleased to see that Timmy Dooley (FF) has been appointed Minister of State to this position. His Dáil record on the subjects of offshore wind development, the Designated Maritime Area Plan system, fishing, and the marine environment is encouraging. Of immediate interest is the consultation last year on trawling inside the 6nm limit, a conservation measure to protect sprat and other forage fish so important to cetaceans and other marine predators. We hope he will bring this to a timely conclusion, taking into account the multitude of submissions in support of a ban on big boats pair trawling our inshore waters.
Cork man Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) has been entrusted with the all-important Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity brief within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the IWDG considers this to be the best possible outcome. Minister O’Sullivan has demonstrated a genuine interest in nature and biodiversity over the years and is a fitting replacement for Malcolm Noonan (GP). Assuming the brief is handed over unaltered, he will be responsible for getting the MPA Bill over the line, a task which is proving complex, difficult and time-consuming.
The PfG gives him something of a head start on the job ahead, pledging Increased funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and a commitment to creating new national parks and a new internship programme within the Service. A promise to “ensure the promotion of marine education courses and degree programmes with a view to increasing enrolments” also meets with the approval of the IWDG, and will be important as our national attention turns more to our marine environment and its resources.
The growing marine wildlife tourism industry is mentioned in the context of drawing tourists to our coastal villages, and eco-tourism, including whale and dolphin watching, will be supported. The PfG states that “marine species will be safeguarded while expanding the tourism industry”. This is already borne out by ongoing work by the NPWS, IWDG, and marine tourism operators to put in place those safeguards to minimise the impact of tourism on marine species.
National targets for a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and net zero by 2050, are maintained, and the 5GW of offshore wind capacity target by 2030 is also restated. These targets are no longer seen as being realistic, but this will be a matter for Darragh O’Brien (FF) who is the new Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy as well as Minister for Transport, taking over the brief from Eamon Ryan (GP). Eamon Ryan worked tirelessly to advance the development of renewable energy in Ireland and understood its importance in controlling climate change and protecting biodiversity. The IWDG is heartened to see that a politician of Minister O’Brien’s calibre and experience has been given this job to do. Coming from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, he will have an overview of how the MPA Bill will interact with marine spatial planning, particularly as it relates to offshore renewables.
The Green Party’s decimation in the recent election, however inevitable, was viewed as a disaster by the eNGO sector and by people with an awareness of nature, climate and biodiversity. The two main parties of government were cynical in blaming the Greens for policies which were in fact the bare minimum to maintain our environmental obligations under European law. These obligations haven’t gone away and the new Government will be challenged to balance them with more populist agendas. We wish the new Ministers who, between them, are responsible for the management and protection of our marine space over the next five years, the best of luck.

Key ministerial appointments for nature and biodiversity in the new Government
Dr Stephen Comerford
ORE Marine Biodiversity Officer