Mr Phil Hogan T.D., the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, now invites submissions and comments on the preparation phase under Article 5.2(a) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, notably reporting of the Initial Assessment (Article 8); Determination of Good Environmental Status (Article 9) and Establishment of Environmental Indicators (Article 10).  A total of 133 Reporting Sheets (external link) were submitted to the European Environment Agency’s ‘EIONET’ Central Data Repository website.

Consistent with Article 19 of the Directive, a draft summary of the Initial Assessment, Determination of Good Environmental Status and Establishment of Environmental Indicators is being prepared and will be made available by September 2013 for further consultation.  However, to ensure all interested parties are given an early and effective opportunity to participate in the implementation of the Directive and, following on the publication of the information document, Ireland’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive Implementation in December 2012, ‘pdf’ versions of the reporting sheets are available through the links in the tables in the document below.  The tables also provide a brief description of each of the reporting sheets.

Features Overview Tables (including links to Reporting Sheets (pdfs)) (pdf, 719 kb)

The ‘pdf’ versions are in a more readable format than the reporting sheets available on EIONET and should facilitate comment pending completion of the summary.

Return of submissions

Submissions and comments on the preparation phase under Article 5.2(a) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive should be forwarded, in writing or by email to:

Aidan Brennan
Water Quality Section
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Newtown Road
Wexford
Email: msfd@environ.ie

Any queries regarding this consultation should be sent to: Aidan.Brennan@environ.ie
The closing date for the receipt of submissions and comments is no later than 5:30 p.m. on Monday, 1 July 2013.
In order to assist the Department in the compilation of submissions and comments, respondents to this consultation are kindly requested to use the comment form provided below.
Replies Template (xls, 31kb)

All comments will be gratefully received and receipt acknowledged by email or post.
Comments received will be considered in the next phases of implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive that is, the development of a Monitoring Programme under Article 11 due by 15th July 2014 and a Programme of Measures under Article 13, to be developed by 2015 and for the future iteration of the MSFD.   Further consultation will be undertaken at these later stages.
In relation to Article 8, 9 and 10 Reporting Sheets, if deemed necessary the European Commission will be notified of issues and/or updates arising from the consultation.
Please note that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for this purpose may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2003 and the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations (2007) and may be placed on the Department’s website.

http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Water/WaterQuality/Marine/PublicConsultations/​

ENDS

Source: MCG Bureau 

Published: 14th May 2013