Natural Heritage Area (NHAs) are still only at the proposal stage and no designations will take place until an amendment to the Wildlife Act, 1976, is passed by the Oireachtas. I expect to be in a position to publish this Bill in the near future. The EU Habitats Directive requires member states to identify areas of community importance for nature conservation, and to protect them through their designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
Compensation will be payable for the changes in farming practices which will be compulsory as a result of the designation as SACs of private land. Changes will not be compulsory in NHAs to the question of compensation will not arise. Under the European law, grants for afforestation administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry are payable only where the proposed planting will not damage the environment. The calculation of losses arising from the inclusion of land in an SAC could not therefore take account of these grants. Full compensation will be payable for other losses. However, I am advised that in most cases planting of trees in these areas is not economic without grant aid.