CORK County Council must become a core stakeholder in consultation and planning for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), according to a West Cork Councillor.

Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind) raised a motion at last week’s meeting of the local authority and said that while Ireland’s  planned expansion of MPAs is a necessary step for biodiversity, it does raise practical concerns about the growing difficulty of maintaining and upgrading essential coastal infrastructure.

‘Pier and slipways in places like Baltimore, Schull and Castletownbere are not optional, they are lifelines and facilitate island access, support inshore fishing and underpin local economies. Many are already under pressure from age, storms and sea-level rise,’ said Cllr Harrington.

He said much of this coastline falls under Natura 2000 designations which requires environmental assessment for even minor works, and MPAs will add another regulatory layer.

‘A damaged pier on Cape Clear, Sherkin or Bere Island cannot wait for approvals. Without flexibility there is a clear policy mismatch,’ he warned.

He said there is a strong case for piers, slipways and working harbours to be exempted ‘or at least fast-tracked’ under MPA rules since they are existing structures and not new developments.

Cllr Marie O’Sullivan (FG) seconded his motion and said there are too many external agencies and statutory bodies involved in decision making relating to our harbours and coastal areas including Irish Lights and the OPW.

‘Too often important decisions are being made without adequate consultation with Cork County Council or with those who have local knowledge of our harbours,’ she said

She highlighted a local case of a planned mussel farm in Kinsale Harbour where she said no consultation took place with the local harbourmaster or Cork County Council.

Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) said it is vital that Cork County Council is a key stakeholder and has a say in all matters relating to working harbours and piers.