Vol. 475 No. 7
99 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether a map currently exists for the information of farmers throughout the country which outlines those areas which will be considered as national heritage areas and special areas of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5775/97]
Natural heritage areas, NHAs, are as yet only at the proposal stage and will not be designated until an amendment to the Wildlife Act, 1976, has been passed by the Oireachtas. I hope to introduce this legislation in the coming months.
However, maps of the areas proposed as NHAs have for some time now been in the public domain and anyone who wishes to inspect them can arrange to do so at local offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service NPWS, of my Department.
The EU habitats directive provides for the protection of the most important natural areas through their designation as special areas of conservation, SACs. I have recently made regulations to transpose the directive into Irish law.
Within the next few weeks, publication of SAC designation proposals will commence. Maps will be published in local newspapers and will be available for inspection in local offices of the NPWS, Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, local Garda stations and local authority offices.
Maps will also be sent individually to those known to own or use land in the areas proposed for designation.
