Vol. 499 No. 3
293 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to afford national heritage area, special area of conservation or special protection area designation for the inner part of the Rogerstown estuary in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1041/99]
294 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if the inner part of the Rogerstown estuary in County Dublin has been afforded national heritage area, special area of conservation or special protection area designations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1042/99]
295 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if the inner part of Rogerstown Estuary, County Dublin, has been designated a special area of conservation or a national heritage or special protection area; and, if not, if she will give a date for its designation. [2485/99]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteannna Uimh. 293, Uimh. 294 agus Uimh 295 le chéile.
The whole of the Rogerstown estuary is a proposed natural heritage area and is also proposed for designation as a Special Area of Conservation, SAC. The outer estuary from Rogerstown Viaduct to the Burrow and part of the Eastern Ford is designated as a special protection area. The public advertisement of the area as a proposed candidate SAC provides legal protection for the important wildlife habitats and species to be found in the inner estuary.
Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, is currently reviewing the situation to ascertain if the inner portion of the estuary merits additional designation as a special protection area.
