Commission calls on Ireland to complete its network of marine Natura 2000 sites
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Ireland (INFR(2026)2051) for failing to fulfil its obligations under the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC). Under the Habitats Directive, Member States must propose sites of Community importance (SCIs) to protect the EU’s most threatened habitat types and species, including several marine ones. Under the Birds Directive, the Member States must classify Special Protection Areas (SPAs) to protect certain bird species, including several seabirds. These sites contribute to the EU-wide network of protected nature sites known as Natura 2000 and to reaching the target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 of legally protecting at least 30% of the EU seas. For sites in the marine environment, the Commission had agreed with the Member States that they would have until 2012 to put this network in place. To follow up on this obligation, the Commission opened a series of investigations in 2015 to assess the progress made in several Member States, including Ireland. While Ireland has undertaken significant monitoring of its marine waters, the Irish authorities have not yet formally proposed new marine SCIs and have not yet classified marine SPAs in coastal and offshore areas. More specifically, additional SCIs for reefs, sandbanks, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise need to be established. Ireland should also establish sufficient SPAs for eight bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and eleven migratory bird species which are regularly present in Ireland. The failure to propose such sites, so many years after the deadline has passed, obstructs the rapid roll-out of renewable energy projects as it creates legal uncertainty for authorities and developers. Ireland has ambitious offshore renewable energy plans, which the Commission fully supports. To advance on this objective, the authorities and developers need to have clarity on where the most environmentally sensitive areas are. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Ireland, which now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.