Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Protection Areas.

Declan Bree

Question:

142 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if the decision to designate Ballisodare Bay, County Sligo, as a special protection area for wild birds in accordance with Article 4 of the Council Directive on the conservation of wild birds, the Birds Directive No 79/409 EEC, will affect traditional wild fowling by sportsmen on Ballisodare Bay; if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by wild fowlers in this area and particularly by wild fowlers involved in the local gun club which is affiliated to the National Association of Regional Games Councils in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20252/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I am aware that some concerns have been raised by wildfowlers in relation to the proposed designation of Ballisodare Bay as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in accordance with Article 4 of the Council Directive on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC). SPA designation is not incompatible with regulated hunting on the site and there are no proposals at present to restrict traditional wildfowling in Ballisodare Bay. If, in the unlikely event, it is considered necessary in the future to restrict hunting on any SPA sites, the National Association of Regional Game Councils and local shooting interests will be consulted.