Irish MEP wins European legal protection for coasts

The European Parliament has approved legal protection for coastal zones throughout Europe as proposed by the Green MEP Ms Patricia McKenna.

The vote took place in Strasbourg last week. Ms McKenna's plan could see the establishment of an EU-led legal framework to protect coastal zones that would be more effective than the system of special areas of conservation (SACs) under the EU Habitats Directive.

The SAC issue was one of several identified by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, as contributing to growing Irish opposition to European "bureaucracy".

Ms McKenna, who was one of three Irish MEPs to oppose the Nice Treaty, has called on the Government to support the concept of an EU legal framework for coastal zone management plans.

"Coastal areas are under increasing pressure from development, and threatened by the effects of global warming," she said. "It is essential to take the necessary steps to protect our coastal natural assets in an effective manner and without delay."

The Bantry Bay coastal zone charter is the only agreed and integrated coastal zone management plan in the State, she said. A recent report by the European Commission on climate change noted that global sea levels could be 20cm to 105cm higher than the 1961-1990 mean, said Ms McKenna, and the need for policy on coastal zone management and close co-operation between member-states was essential.

Last week, almost £3 million in extra funding for coastal protection works was allocated by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey. Welcoming this allocation, Ms McKenna said that the Minister was presiding over a "conflict of interest" in relation to protection of environmentally-sensitive coastal areas. While his Department was responsible for licensing and regulating fish-farming, the Minister was also responsible for advocating and marketing farmed fish.

The Green MEP believes the aquaculture licensing system, which is rigorous and includes an appeals board, is not independent. Members of the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB) are appointed by the Minister, as is the chairperson. The board has overturned only two licences on appeal in its four years of existence, she said. This, in her view, should be challenged.