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.

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.

To continue to control Nitrogen Oxides emissions from ships through the application of the Sea Pollution (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 313/2010).

Continued Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form implementation of Regulation laid out in MARPOL Annex III (entered into force 1 July 1992) and S.I. No. 510/2013.

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.

Continue to enforce statutory codes of practice on the application and use of chemicals (e.g. good agricultural practice on agri-chemicals), which specify how various operations should be carried out to prevent chemicals entering surface waters.

Set up and run pollution prevention awareness campaigns, which provide targeted advice and information to householders and those in high risk areas on all rural diffuse pollution issues, in order to prevent and reduce chemicals from entering surface waters and groundwater.

Implement Water Framework Directive Environmental Quality Standards for specific pollutants used in assessment of water quality status.

To continue to enforce emission and discharge limits from industrial installations, in line with the best available technologies.

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

Continue to enforce EU Directive on Ship-source pollution and criminal penalties Directive 2005/35/EC (as amended by Directive 2009/123/EC).

Continue to register, evaluate, authorise or restrict chemicals in accordance with national and EU legislation.

Continue to enforce the ban on production, placing on the market and use (some limited exceptions) of intentionally produced Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) substances listed in the Stockholm Convention (SC) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Protocol on POPs. Ensure the national action plan and implementation plan on how Ireland is meeting obligations under the SC is maintained and carried out.

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

To continue to implement the requirements of S.I. No. 272/2009, as amended by S.I. No. 386/2015.

Ensure stormwater management is employed, particularly where excess loads can occur, by treating where and whenever necessary.

To continue to regulate pesticides in accordance with relevant EU and national law.

Continue to control discharges through existing regulation procedures (licensing and permitting of activities) – Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control licences, Waste Water Discharge Licence, Local Authority Wastewater Authorisation (smaller discharges), Local Authority Waste Licences, Agricultural controls, Single Dwelling House Waste Water Systems and the implementation of Pollution Reduction Plans.

Ensure dredging plans are incorporated into port master plans.

Implement the OSPAR Hazardous Substances Strategy.

Progressively implement the OSPAR Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Strategy.

Implement OSPAR Decision 2000/2 on a Harmonised Mandatory Control System for the Use and Reduction of the Discharge of Offshore Chemicals (as amended by OSPAR Decision 2005/1).

Implement the OSPAR Recommendation 2005/2 on environmental goals for the use and discharge of OSPAR Priority Chemicals.

Apply OSPAR Recommendation 2006/3 on environmental goals for the phasing-out of discharges of substances identified as candidates for substitution.

Implement OSPAR Recommendation 2001/1 for the Management of Produced Water from Offshore Installations (as amended by OSPAR Recommendation 2006/4).

Implement OSPAR Recommendation 2003/5 promoting the use and implementation of environmental management systems by the offshore industry.

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.

Continue to enforce the Sea Pollution Act 1991 to prevent pollution of the sea by oil and other substances.

Continue Prevention of Pollution by Oil through the implementation of Regulations laid out in MARPOL Annex I and S.I. No. 542/2010.

Continued Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk through the implementation of Regulations laid out in MARPOL Annex II (entered into force 2 October 1983) and S.I. No. 217/2008.

Continued Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form implementation of Regulation laid out in MARPOL Annex III (entered into force 1 July 1992) and S.I. No. 510/2013.

Continued Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships through the implementation of Regulations laid out in MARPOL Annex VI (entered into force 19 May 2005) and S.I. No. 313/2010).

Continue to implement the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974. The objective of the SOLAS regard is to attain minimum standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety.

Continued provision of port waste reception facilities in commercial and fishing ports.

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

Continue to implement CLAMS – Coordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems to ensure adequate supervision and management of shellfish practices, and to empower aquaculture operators to undertake voluntary improvements and facilitate them to recognise and report incidents.

Continue to implement the EU Water Framework Directive, Dangerous Substances Directive and associated national legislation in land use planning and for issues relating to single and multi-dwelling unit, waste water collection and treatment.

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

To continue to implement regional waste management plans and a national hazardous waste management plan.

Combined Storm Overflow Control (screening & limiting of spills) and application of the discharge licensing requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Waste Framework Directive and Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive.

Maintain sea users’ awareness of waste issues and encourage compliance with existing rules.

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.