Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Wexford Harbour Special Protection Area Designation.

Mrs. Doyle

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me a few minutes on the Adjournment this evening to raise an issue which is a cause of major concern to a large number of groups in Wexford, that is the designation of Wexford Harbour as a special protection area under the Birds Directive. Wexford Harbour is an area of international importance for wild birds and, indeed, designation of SPAs is an obligation under the EC Birds Directive. I recognise both those points and the beauty of the environment and the habitat referred to as Wexford Harbour. It is an area that extends from the South Slob Wall to the North Slob Wall and from Wexford town to the Burrow and Raven Point.

The present users of Wexford Harbour area are up in arms — to put it mildly — over the proposal to designate the area an SPA. They fear that their present use and access will be curtailed. I do not share their degree of fear and I support the general thrust of the designation of an SPA. The Office of Public Works must stand chastised in terms of their PR ability and their communication skills with the public generally. As one who generally supports the preservation of our environment and these types of designation, I would urge the Minister to get expertise on his team, to enable skills to be developed and to bring the public with him as we go down this road. Over the years I hope more areas will be so designated and that we will be able to preserve the habitats and the environment for future generations to enjoy as we and our forbears have enjoyed.

The Minister replied to a parliamentary question from me last week in which he insisted that the relevant bodies were notified — harbour authorities, water sports and shellfish people, regional game councils, wild bird conservancy, BIM and the ESB. The main users knew nothing about it and received no notification. The Minister may have notified these organisations at national level but the information did not filter to the ground.

I am representing to the Minister tonight the fears of Wexford Harbour Board, Wexford County Council, Wexford Corporation, Lett & Co., Shellfish Processors, Wexford Musselmen's Association, Wexford Fishermen's Association, Wexford Regional Game Council, Wexford Harbour Wildfowlers Association, Burrow GPA, Wexford Sea Angling Association, Wexford & District Sea Angling Association, Wexford & District Sea Angling Association, Wexford Harbour Boat Club, Wexford Action Group, Kilmuckridge Sea Angling Association, Wexford Cot Sailing Association, Wexford Sub Aqua Club, New Ross & District Sea Angling Club, River Slaney GPA, Wexford Coastal Action Group, the people of Rosslare, landowners of Hopeland and Burrow, Castlebridge Wildflowers, Wexford Boat owners and Boat charters, and Wexford Power Boat Association. The list is endless. He never notified the public representatives, the county councillors or the Oireachtas Members of this development. I would urge the Minister to help us to bring the people with him when it comes to protecting the environment rather than cause the confrontation which has ensued in this instance. Despite efforts at reassuring people, I have received letters from the Wexford Regional Game Council stating that the mussel fishermen in Wexford have been in contact with their Dutch colleagues who have informed them that they have had mussel fishing banned in SPAs where eider ducks are feeding. There are other cases in Germany and Holland where clasification of SPAs has had a detrimental effect on public usage and access. We do not want to hear words such as "may", "shall be" or "might be" but rather absolute guarantees that present usage of the harbour for the mussel fishermen, the ring net fishermen, recreation, wild fowling, fishing, boating, walking and diving can continue. Can the Minister give assurances that aquaculture, fishing, boating and board-sailing can continue? Will he put in place a process of appeal allowing for a two way communication system so that the people of Wexford will know the Minister's intentions and their fears can be assuaged?

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I am delighted at the opportunity to respond even though I thought I had clarified the matter last week. I acknowledge Deputy Doyle's interest and her pro-conservation stance in relation to matters such as this and her previous role in my position.

I am surprised she thinks people were not informed. The list of organisations she read out is exactly the same as the list of people I have informed. I do not intend to go through it again, except to say that every organisation to which she referred was informed. The only one she missed was the Rosslare Fianna Fáil Cumman——

Mrs. Doyle

I do not know why.

Mr. Dempsey

——who are also very interested in this issue.

Under EC Directive 79/409/EC, generally known as the Birds Directive, it is mandatory on all member states to set up a network of special protection areas for migratory species and for threatened or vulnerable species.

Up to 1991, 20 areas have been classified in Ireland and we are under severe pressure from the European Commission to designate further areas. The Directive provides that within special protection areas, member states will take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or significant disturbances affecting the birds.

The area of Wexford Harbour has been identified as an important area for birds as it exists and in the context of the current levels of activities.

I am quite satisfied to give every assurance that this designation will not interfere with current usage of the harbour. I would appreciate it if Deputy Doyle would convey this to the people of Wexford.

There are already five special protection areas in the Wexford area — Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Saltee Islands, Lady's Island Lake, Ballyteigue Harbour and the Raven. I am not aware of any problems arising in these areas from this designation.

In relation to future development, it is Government policy to resist any developments in any area which would significantly damage the environment. The effect of this designation in these areas is that planning authorities and other development agencies will be asked to look very carefully at proposals to ensure that no significant detrimental effects will arise. I stress that the concern is with significant detrimental effects — this does not necessarily become a no-development area.

I appreciate the concerns expressed by various groups and I note that most of the groups are those for whom a healthy environment is essential for their activities to continue. I believe that objections are based on a misconception of the effects of the special protection area designation. That is the reason I am pleased with the opportunity to clarify it and I hope the Deputy will convey this to all the groups concerned. I will be happy to arrange further discussions and explanations by my officials with the groups concerned if they so desire.

Finally I repeat my assurance that current levels of activities are acceptable in the context of this designation.