Press Release: Government must allow full scrutiny of the Marine Planning Framework

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is urging the government not to rush through approval of the Marine Planning Framework in the absence of a Dáil debate or Oireachtas scrutiny. It is understood that the government is planning to approve this plan with no debate next week.

The Marine Planning Framework is enormously important for the wise management of our oceans and the IWT has previously raised concerns that this process is proceeding in the absence of Marine Protected Areas.

IWT Campaign Officer, Pádraic Fogarty says “the Oireachtas must be allowed to fully debate and scrutinise the Marine Planning Framework in a democratic manner. Decisions made on foot of this plan will have far reaching implications for our seas and, as it stands, threatens to seriously exacerbate our biodiversity crisis. We simply can’t afford to further imperil threatened marine life in the rush to develop the marine environment.”