Dodgy Dealings Under the Sea remain unresolved. Irish Wildlife Trust Blog helped tell the story.

An investigation carried out since 2021 by Blue Ireland member, Coastal Concern Alliance, resulted in serious concerns being raised about Habitats Directive‘ compliance with regard to the designation of Natura 2000 sites.

In 2012/13 the Irish Government was required to designate 20 – 60 % of “sandbanks slightly covered by sea water all of the time”  Habitat 1110. These sandbanks are located largely off Ireland’s east coast.

Natura 2000 sites are a coordinated European network of protected natural areas designed to ensure the long term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Categories include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) focused on protecting habitats, and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) focused on protecting birds (Birds Directive).

Read Dodgy Dealings Under the Sea by Padraic Fogarty, Irish Wildlife Trust, for details of the earlier findings from that investigation.  Additional information has been provided to the European Commission over the past number of years.