Continue to apply the Natura Directives (Birds Directive [2009/147/EC] and Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]) and associated national regulations as laid down in S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011

Complete the identification of Special Areas of Conservation by the end of 2015.

Continue the protection of species and habitats listed in Annex I and II of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) through the designation of Ireland’s network of Special Areas of Conservation.

Continue implementing an appropriate monitoring and assessment strategy addressing the distribution, extent and condition of habitats and species to support conservation status assessment under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

Continue to apply the requirement for Appropriate Assessment of activities within Natura sites as required under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

Continue the protection of wild bird species through the designation of Ireland’s network of Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC).

Update regional lists of protected plant species and propose protection status for other species and habitats on the scale of the marine subregion.

Continued implementation of OSPAR recommendations for Threatened and/or Declining habitats and species.

To continue to investigate the distribution of habitats through seabed surveys and monitoring through initiatives such as the INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland's MARine Resource (INFOMAR) Programme.

To continue to report data on habitat distribution to the OSPAR habitat mapping database.

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EEC) River Basin Management Plans which include measures aimed toward the achievement of Good Ecological Status of coastal and transitional intertidal waters bodies.

Maintain the Water Framework Directive River Classification Scheme and associated management measures.

Continue to implement Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

Continue to implement the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

Awareness and training of best practices in maritime and coastal activities and preservation of the marine environment.

Continue to ensure coherence of Ireland's network of marine protected areas by setting up increased protection areas using tools such as habitat protection orders, no-take zones etc.

To continue to consider whether sites justify selection as Marine Protected Areas

Set up (temporary or permanent) Marine Protected Areas in functional zones for fish.

Develop a national strategy to create and manage Ireland's network of Marine Protected Areas.

To continue to develop shellfish stock assessments which take into account requirements for protected bird species at national level within 6 nautical miles.

Continue to be informed by the Action plans developed by BirdWatch Ireland.

Continue to implement ongoing measures to protect sites important for marine waterbird species including Natural Heritage Areas, Wildfowl Sanctuaries and Irish wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Continue to apply the regulations that enforce the Wildlife Acts and Regulations which makes it an offence to kill, injure or capture marine mammal species, and to cause damage to certain areas used by the species for shelter or protection, or to disturb animals occupying such areas.

Continue to implement the licensing process governing disturbance of protected plant and animal species.

Continue to effectively control and promote compliance in accordance with the EU fisheries legislation.

Continue to develop fishery closure areas and seasonal closures in conjunction with the Regional Groups of Member States and Advisory Councils based on the best available advice.

Continue to examine and develop, where appropriate, closures of spawning and nursery grounds to preserve sensitive stocks at the national level, where sites are within the 6 nautical mile limit, and at the EU level.

To continue to examine and develop, where appropriate, the use of different types of fishing gear at the national level within the 6 nautical mile limit, and at the EU level.

To develop and implement fishery management measures for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at national level where sites are within the 6 nautical mile limit and at regional EU level for MPAs outside the 6 nautical mile limit.

Continue to manage the impacts of sea-fisheries and aquaculture in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.

Ensure that operators restore shellfish growing areas once production ends.

Continue to implement the EU fishery management measures for the protection of relevant habitats included on the OSPAR Threatened and/or Declining list.

Apply Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) as appropriate.

Implementation of Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations within Irish Legislation. This ensures protection of the marine environment through implementation of safety measures/mechanisms for offshore oil and gas operations. This includes, inter alia, as per Article 8 of Directive 2013/30/EU, the appointment of the Commission of Energy Regulation (CER) as the competent authority responsible for regulatory functions in this regard.

Ensuring on-going implementation of guidelines for the assessment of dredged material for disposal in Irish waters, the application of the Foreshore Acts and the licensing, permitting and enforcement of activities under the Dumping At Sea Act.

Continue to develop invasive species action plans. Implement commitment to develop an Aquaculture Industry Code of Practice for Invasive Alien Species.

Continued regulation of fishing equipment, vessels, duration and species to regulate the pressures on the environment.

Continue to implement effort management for crab fisheries in line with EU regulations.

To continue to enforce the protection measures for juvenile shellfish species set out in Council Regulation 850/98 as amended.

Continued effort management of Scallop fishing in line with EU legislation.

Implement national restrictions on fishing vessels participating in the scallop fishery, as follows. Vessels greater than or equal to 10m Length Overall must hold an Authorisation in order to retain on board or land a quantity of Scallop that is greater than 10% by live weight of the total quantity of all species of fish retained on board or landed on that occasion. To qualify for an Authorisation, a vessel must either have:- (i) carried out scallop fishing activity for at least 50 days at sea in the two and a half years up to 30 June 2005, or (ii) have sourced 100% replacement capacity from a vessel(s) which carried out scallop fishing activity for at least 50 days at sea in the two and a half years up to 30 June 2005.

To continue to develop and to apply protection measures for shellfish species in accordance with EU and national legislation such as v-notching, minimum & maximum landing size for lobsters, minimum landing size for brown crab, spider crab crawfish, closed season for shrimp, monitoring, reporting & spawning closure for bivalve fisheries.

Continue to implement national legislation to appropriately apply licensing, regulation and planning for the marine and coastal environment, including the requirement for applications to be accompanied by the materials necessary for a full assessment of the proposed plan, project or development.

Ensure that appropriate forms and levels of organisational governance are in place to support Foreshore Licensing, Petroleum Exploration/Appraisal/ Production Licensing, and proposed Maritime Option Licensing process.

Ensure that the consenting/ permitting processes, overseen by relevant regulatory bodies/statutory bodies, sufficiently account for the adequate protection of habitats and species.

Develop sector specific guidance documentation and regional strategy plans for renewable energy growth and impact control.

To apply the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and associated legislation in relation to licences and consents.

Continue to develop and implement river basin and shoreline management plans to control impacts and improve environmental status.

Develop and implement marine plans for all of Irish waters by 31st March 2021 at the latest.

Ensure that environmental monitoring and mitigation measures stipulated in Environmental Impact Statements are fit for purpose and when/where deemed necessary are conducted appropriately.

To continue to prevent the use of legacy pesticide with persistent bioaccumulative toxic properties.

To continue to review the River Basin Management Plans at the end of each 6-year cycle as outlined in the Water Framework Directive.

Ensure dredging plans are incorporated into port master plans.

Ensure operators take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences for human health and the environment.

Continue to enforce the Dumping at Sea Act 1996 (as amended), which specifically prohibits the dumping of certain materials at sea and requires any person who wishes to dispose of material at sea to apply to the EPA for a Dumping at Sea permit.

To continue to apply the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

Regulate and appropriately monitor of dredging and disposal under the Foreshore Act 1993 (as amended)

Continue to promote and support An Taisce's programme on Ocean Literacy .

To continue to apply the BIM Responsibly Sourced Standard for wild capture fisheries.

Continue to promote the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Environment Management System (EMS) to assist fishermen to implement practices to help minimise the impact of fishing effort on the marine environment.

Continue to promote the implementation of the Environment Management System on fish and shellfish farms through the Environment Management System for Aquaculture initiative.

Support the Origin Green Initiative National programme to improve sustainability and environmental performance within the Irish Food Sector.