Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
49 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the proposed coastal zone management legislation is not being progressed; when he will designate Irish national waters as particularly sensitive sea areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13719/04]
View answerI have previously indicated my intention to publish in 2004 legislative proposals to consolidate and modernise the law on foreshore administration and to support the development and operation of more integrated approaches to the management of coastal areas and their resources.
As regards the designation of particular sensitive sea areas, six member states — Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom — submitted in April 2003 a joint proposal to the IMO for the designation of a particularly sensitive sea area, PSSA, covering the English Channel and the Atlantic coastline of the six countries.
The proposal was discussed at the 49th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, MEPC, of the IMO from 14 to 18 July 2003, where it was approved in principle.
The 87th session of the IMO's legal committee, from 13 to 17 October 2003, examined the legal implications of the proposal. It will be further examined by other relevant IMO bodies during 2004.
The designation of the areas concerned as a PSSA could be decided by the 52nd session of the MEPC, scheduled for October 2004.
