Vol. 515 No. 5
16 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the condition of Ballycotton bird sanctuary; the plans, if any, she has for the future of the sanctuary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6270/00]
The foreshore only at Ballycotton Bay is designated as a special protection area, SPA, under Council Directive No. 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, which is known as the Birds Directive. It is afforded protection in Irish law under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, SI No. 94 of 1997.
I have no plans for the area, other than to maintain the favourable conservation status of the habitat for the use of wild birds.
