Wind Energy Ireland and Irish marine environmental coalition Fair Seas have issued a joint statement criticising government delays in bringing forward the Marine Protected Areas Bill.
In the statement they also call for “immediate action” to ensure the bill is enacted before the General Election.
As the Dail goes into recess for the summer, the two bodies highlighted the government’s “failure to deliver this crucial – and long-promised – legislation”.
The stated that failure to enact the bill will have “serious consequences” for both the state’s ability to meet its offshore renewable targets and its ability to meet its international obligations to protect 30% of Ireland’s seas by 2030.
Ireland has a target to develop 5GW of offshore wind energy by the end of 2030.
If the country is serious about meeting our climate targets, the MPA Bill must be moved to the top of the political agenda to ensure that biodiversity is properly protected and to inform key future planning decisions for offshore renewable energy, stated WEI and Fair Seas.
Fair Seas Coordinator Donal Griffin said: “We may represent different interests but Fair Seas and Wind Energy Ireland are united in a desire to see the MPA Bill enacted as soon as possible.
“It must be at the top of the government’s agenda for the next Dail term.
“This government is entering its final months and it cannot allow this Bill to fall at the point of the next election – whenever that will be.
“This legislation is too important to delay any longer. Time is running out to protect our marine wildlife and ecosystems.”
Director of external affairs at Wind Energy Ireland Justin Moran added: “Our members are committed to the sustainable development of offshore wind energy in a way that protects, and even enhances, our marine biodiversity.
“The Marine Protected Areas Bill is central to Ireland’s sustainable energy future and we want a commitment from the Government that this will be a priority when the Dail meets again in September.”