Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
722. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if marine mammal observer reports made available to the public by his Department are published online; if so, the online locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41065/22]
View answer723. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the current National Parks and Wildlife Service guidelines regarding acoustic activities and surveys will be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41066/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 723 together.
The document “Guidance to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters” was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in January 2014. It is a very comprehensive document and has been used by a wide range of operators since its publication. A copy of the Guidance is available on the following link:
www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/Underwater%20sound%20guidance_Jan%202014.pdf
Full adherence and compliance to this document is routinely attached as a condition of consent for operations that might have an impact on marine mammals. The document has been designed to embrace the precautionary principle and this approach is accepted by the relevant industries. The document is due for review and some revisions to improve clarity but it is not expected to be completed this year.
As part of the application of “Guidance to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters”, my Department does receive and review Marine Mammal Observer reports.
These documents are made available to my Department as a fulfilment of a condition attached to certain planning consents and licences. My Department does not publish marine mammal observer reports submitted as part of the conditions attached to planning consent and licensing processes. The particular Consenting Authority is the appropriate body to publish any documents related to the consent or licensing process within its remit.
