Minister admits efforts to bring in laws to protect Irish waters 'have been frustrating'

Flossie Donnelly from Dun Laoghaire at a protest led by Fair Seas outside Leinster House highlighting a lack of progress on the vital Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Bill. Photo: Gareth Chaney

Long-awaited legislation that will protect 30% of Irish waters is nowhere near coming to fruition, the Government has admitted.

Nature and Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan met with protestors at the Dáil on Wednesday as more than a hundred gathered on Kildare Street calling for an urgent response to the protection of all marine life and surrounding areas.