Council requests protection of marine supplies

The Heritage Council has asked Environment Minister Dick Roche to protect Ireland's maritime and coastal areas.

The group says that clear planning guidelines must be put in place for new coastal and off-shore developments. They believe that bad planning decisions are causing problems for the environment.

Beatrice Kelly from the Heritage Council said that a better management system was needed for protection of resources.
“Greater national protection and a comprehensive management system needs to be put in place. We need to protect these resources more thoroughly because of the rapid rate of development and in light of climate change,” she said.

“Many coastal towns and villages are suffering from inappropriate development that will impact on our economy and environment.”

The Council warned that special maritime heritage features like sand dune systems, salt marshes, Martello towers and fishing villages are in danger. It said that guidance should be given for new developments.

The Advice document on Ireland’s Marine Heritage highlighted badly-sited tourism developments in counties Clare, Donegal, Waterford and Wexford.