Vol. 474 No. 5
54 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the consultations, if any, he held with representatives of farmers in the Burren, County Clare, regarding designation of special areas of conservation and national heritage areas. [3386/97]
60 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether he will meet with a delegation representing farmers from the Burren, County Clare, in relation to their concerns regarding the designation of lands as special areas of conservation. [3392/97]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 54 agus 60 le chéile.
As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 121, 122, 123, 124 and 125 from the Deputy on 4 February 1997, the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Carey, has had meetings with farmers and their representatives in the Burren area of County Clare to discuss the proposed designation of special areas of conservation (SACs) and related matters in the context of the rural environment protection scheme (REPS).
55 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will postpone the signing of regulations in relation to the special areas of conservations pending resolution of outstanding issues and meaningful negotiation with the landowners concerned. [3387/97]
56 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason maps of special areas of conservation have not been made available to farmers prior to the signing of the relevant regulations. [3388/97]
58 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he has to employ the same compensation package for farmers in special areas of conservation in all areas of the country; if so, if it will be index linked; and if it will be paid as long as the designation of special areas of conservation continues. [3390/97]
59 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if grant aid will be available to farmers who will have to construct animal housing to comply with regulations in special areas of conservation; and the way in which the level will be agreed. [3391/97]
62 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the criteria, if any, which will be employed in determining levels of compensation to farmers in special areas of conservation; if property value depreciation will be included; if compensation will be paid for actual acreage rather than adjusted acreage; and if a limit of one hundred acres will apply. [3394/97]
63 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if compensation will be paid to landowners for land only in special areas of conservation or for their entire holding which contains special areas of conservation; and the level at which compensation will be computed. [3395/97]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 55, 56, 58, 59, 62 agus 63 le chéile.
With regard to the matter of compensation, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 121, 122, 123, 124 agus 125 of 4 February 1997. Discussions with the farming organisations are still ongoing and it would be premature at this stage to comment on the terms likely to be finally agreed.
Last November, I deferred signing the regulations to transpose the EU Habitats Directive into Irish law to allow more time for consultation and negotiation with farmers' representatives. In the light of the progress made in the negotiations and following requests for additional clarification on some points, I have agreed to defer the signing of the regulations for another two weeks in order to provide time and space for further consultations. I now propose to sign the regulations on Wednesday, 19 February.
With regard to the provision of maps my Department was advised by the Attorney General's Office that, in order to protect the sites proposed for designation as SACs under Council Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive), such maps should not be issued prior to the regulations being signed.
57 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the implications, if any, of the recent court decisions regarding the Blasket Islands for the designation by the State of special areas of conservation as national heritage areas. [3389/97]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the recent decision of the High Court regarding An Blascaod Mór National Historic Park Act, 1989. I do not propose to give a definitive legal assessment of this case but the Deputy will be aware that it centred on my powers under the Act to make regulations allowing for compulsory purchase of lands.
The matter of designation of lands as special areas of conservation will be covered in regulations transposing Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora into Irish law. I expect to sign these regulations on Wednesday, 19 February.
