Ireland is in the process of updating its oil spill response plans led by the Irish Coast Guard. A draft National Contingency Plan was issued in 2013, under which each of the 20 coastal counties is charged with the task to develop a local authority oil/HNS contingency plan, according to a predefined structure.

This structure requires a section called “Procedure for dealing with contaminated birds”. As of 2014 only the Shannon Estuary area has a response procedure for oiled wildlife in place which has been agreed and exercised. There are ongoing efforts to expand and co-ordinate oiled wildlife response in other parts of the country.