asked the Minister for the Environment if he will issue a directive to Dublin County Council and Wicklow County Council under the terms of the Planning and Development Act, 1976, to make Special Amenity Area Orders for the Dublin Mountains and the north-east Wicklow Mountains; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Special Amenity Area Orders.
214.
The making of a special amenity area order is a matter for consideration in the first instance by the elected members of the appropriate planning authorities and their advisers having regard to the provisions of the Planning Acts.
In the draft revision of the Wicklow County Development Plan the County Council has under consideration that the Wicklow Mountains be classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty and that the council prepare a planning and development strategy for the Wicklow mountain area in consultation with interested bodies and local communities.
It is an objective of the Dublin County Development Plan to examine in detail parts of the Dublin mountains with a view to making a special amenity area order. The plan is presently under review by the Council.
In the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to take action in a matter which is under consideration by the local authorities concerned.