Richard Cronin

Richard Cronin has Responsibility at Head of Business Unit level for the:

• Implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive including measures to address biodiversity loss, pollution including marine litter and noise and the effects of climate change whilst supporting sustainable development and ensuring alignment with MSFD and OSPAR objectives while also implementing relevant parts of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water);

• Leading Ireland’s participation in the OSPAR Commission and its subsidiary bodies for the delivery of the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030 including specific objectives relating to climate change and to support cooperative regional and international implementation of the MSFD;

• Development of a coherent and representative network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and the provision of policy, scientific, legislative and operational actions to support the protection of species and habitats in Ireland’s maritime area;

• Working with other business units within the Department and other Government Departments and Agencies on national and international cross-cutting issues of an environmental nature (e.g. water quality, maritime spatial planning, waste, BBNJ , offshore energy, biodiversity conservation, nature based solutions, climate change effects and mitigation).