To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline any discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Irish Government in relation to addressing the effect of ocean acidification.

I have not had direct discussions with my counterparts in Irish Government to date. However, the British Irish Council Environment work sector, and its marine environment subgroup have met on a number of occasions to discuss ocean acidification and its effects. There is good collaboration between DAERA and the Irish Government to better understand the physical, chemical and biological processes controlling the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

My Department is working with marine scientists in the UK and Ireland through the INTERREG VA Collaborative Oceanography and Monitoring for Protected Areas and Species (COMPASS) project to improve our understanding of how ocean acidification is affecting our waters. The Climate Change Risk Assessment 3 Report, published on 16 June, acknowledges that more action is needed across the UK in understanding the impacts of ocean acidification and its effects on marine species, habitats and fisheries.