Vol. 411 No. 1
479 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment whether, in view of the outstanding natural beauty and special recreational value of the area and the widespread public support locally and among environmentalists generally, he will support the extension of the Liffey Valley special amenity area from Lucan Bridge, County Dublin to Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Section 42 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, as amended, confers on a planning authority the power to make a special amenity area order in respect of any area where it appears to the planning authority that, by reason of its outstanding natural beauty, its special recreational value or a need for nature conservation, the area should be declared to be an area of special amenity. The making of such an order is a function reserved to the elected members of the council. While I have power to direct a planning authority to make such an order for a special area, I consider that the matter is more appropriate for consideration and decision by the planning authority.
