Target: Winter nutrient ratios should not exceed area specific assessment levels used by Ireland in the application of the OSPAR Common Procedure (e.g. winter nitrogen phosphorus ratio should be less than 24). This target is valid for offshore waters (salinity greater than 34.5). Notes: The targets for MSFD Cycle 2 have been aligned with the criteria outlined in the Commission Decision 2017/848. Where targets from MSFD Cycle 1 do not align with the Criteria these have been discontinued and have been reported as ‘Target no longer needed’. There was no Target timescale date specified in MSFD Cycle 1 for this target. The Timescale date 205012 has been entered to allow the Schema be submitted and processed without errors. Under no circumstances should this date be attributed to the now abandoned target.

Target: The abundance and extent of opportunistic macroalgae for WFD defined coastal waters should be consistent with the achievement of the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive as specified in national legislation implementing that Directive (SI 272 of 2009). Notes: The targets for MSFD Cycle 2 have been aligned with the criteria outlined in the Commission Decision 2017/848. Where targets from MSFD Cycle 1 do not align with the Criteria these have been discontinued and have been reported as ‘Target no longer needed’. There was no Target timescale date specified in MSFD Cycle 1 for this target. The Timescale date 205012 has been entered to allow the Schema be submitted and processed without errors. Under no circumstances should this date be attributed to the now abandoned target.

Target: The frequency and abundance of phyto-plankton blooms in WFD coastal water bodies should be consistent with the achievement of the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive as specified in national legislation implementing the Directive (SI 272 of 2009). Notes: The targets for MSFD Cycle 2 have been aligned with the criteria outlined in the Commission Decision 2017/848. Where targets from MSFD Cycle 1 do not align with the Criteria these have been discontinued and have been reported as ‘Target no longer needed’. There was no Target timescale date specified in MSFD Cycle 1 for this target. The Timescale date 205012 has been entered to allow the Schema be submitted and processed without errors. Under no circumstances should this date be attributed to the now abandoned target.

Target: The composition of perennial macroalgae in WFD coastal waters bodies should be consistent with the achievement of the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive as laid down in national legislation implementing that Directive (SI 272 of 2009). The abundance and species composition of intertidal seagrasses in WFD defined coastal waters should be consistent with the achievement of the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive as laid down in national legislation implementing that Directive (SI 272 of 2009). Notes: The targets for MSFD Cycle 2 have been aligned with the criteria outlined in the Commission Decision 2017/848. Where targets from MSFD Cycle 1 do not align with the Criteria these have been discontinued and have been reported as ‘Target no longer needed’. There was no Target timescale date specified in MSFD Cycle 1 for this target. The Timescale date 205012 has been entered to allow the Schema be submitted and processed without errors. Under no circumstances should this date be attributed to the now abandoned target.

Target: GES for Descriptor 5 is achieved when the Irish MSFD marine waters are non-problem with regard to eutrophication and, where relevant, the eutrophication related environmental objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive have been met. The eutrophication status of Irish MSFD marine waters is to be assessed using the OSPAR Common Procedure. Under this scheme areas are generally considered as problem areas if nutrient enrichment and either a direct or indirect effect of eutrophication is observed. Notes: The targets for MSFD Cycle 2 have been aligned with the criteria outlined in the Commission Decision 2017/848. Where targets from MSFD Cycle 1 do not align with the Criteria these have been discontinued and have been reported as ‘Target no longer needed’. There was no Target timescale date specified in MSFD Cycle 1 for this target. The Timescale date 205012 has been entered to allow the Schema be submitted and processed without errors. Under no circumstances should this date be attributed to the now abandoned target.

Nutrient concentrations are not at levels that indicate adverse eutrophication effects

Nutrient concentrations are not at levels that indicate adverse eutrophication effects

Chlorophyll a concentrations are not at levels that indicate adverse effects of nutrient enrichment

The concentration of dissolved oxygen is not reduced, due to nutrient enrichment