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Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

There is absolutely no reason why Europe has to come in and act as umpire. As we discussed under earlier parts of the Bill, the UK Government have established a very good working relationship with the Irish Government. I expect that to continue and to embrace marine conservation zones. As I have said in relation to earlier parts of the Bill, with the indications that we have received so far on the determination of all the devolved Administrations to work together, we fully expect that we will be able to ensure that this is managed in a coherent way. I have no indication whatever that the devolved Administrations and the UK Government will not be able to ensure that there is coherence. I have received a riveting note about the Isle of Man as a Crown dependency. I hesitate to read it to noble Lords. The point that the noble Lord makes is that, since the Isle of Man sits in the middle of an important part of the sea, it is important that we work closely with the Isle of Man Administration. That is the point that he is making—and, of course, we will seek to do so. Perhaps between Committee and Report I might be allowed to write to him with more details about our engagement with the Isle of Man Administration.