Vol. 477 No. 7
78 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has considered the proposal to build high density housing adjacent to Commogue Marsh, Kinsale, County Cork; and if so, if his Department has lodged any formal objection to this proposal. [10231/97]
79 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has satisfied himself that the proposed housing development at Commogue Marsh, Kinsale, County Cork, is in keeping with the spirit of EU birds or habitats directives and the EU Commission communication entitled Wise Use and Conservation for Wetlands. [10232/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has considered the proposed housing development referred to by the Deputy and is satisfied that the local authority has taken appropriate mitigation measures to reduce the possible impact of this development on Commogue Marsh. These measures include provision to purchase additional habitat to compensate for the loss of a small area of the marsh which came about as a result of the construction of part of a service roadway to the development. The route of this road has been relocated to reduce the likelihood of any adverse ecological impact on the marsh.
