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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Inland Waterways.

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Question:

264 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the amount of funding provided by the EU under the Community's Life Regulation for conservation of the special protection area at Glen Lake, Rathowen, County Westmeath; the studies, works and land acquisition carried out with these funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3643/99]

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Question:

265 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made in providing a sluice gate system to maintain winter water levels at Glen Lake, Rathowen, County Westmeath. [3644/99]

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Question:

266 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent of the winter wildfowl presence in the 1998-9 winter on Glen Lake, Rathowen, County Westmeath; and the way in which these numbers compare to the situation prior to the carrying out of drainage works by the Office of Public Works at this lake. [3645/99]

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Question:

267 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if a letter of formal notice under article 169 of the EU Treaty has been issued to her Department by the EU for breach of Community environment law relating to works at Glen Lake, Rathowen, County Westmeath; if so, when this notice was received; her response to this notice; and the works carried out in response to this notice. [3646/99]

Síle de Valera

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 264, Uimh. 265, Uimh. 266 agus Uimh. 267 le chéile.

A letter of formal notice under Article 169 of the EU Treaty, alleging failure to comply with Articles 6(2) and 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) in respect of drainage works carried out at Glen Lake, issued to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 11 November 1998 and was received on 19 November 1998.

It is believed that Ireland is in compliance with the Directive in respect of this matter. The work undertaken at Glen Lake involved the maintenance of an existing drainage regime and is not considered to have had a significant adverse impact on the wild bird habitats in the special protection area (SPA).

However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a number of measures are being taken to enhance the Glen Lake SPA. Funding of £85,000 is being provided under the EU LIFE Regulation (£35,000 for land acquisition and £50,000 towards engineering costs). It is proposed to block the drains at Glen Lake to ensure an appropriate water level is maintained in the SPA. This will occur after the current water level subsides. The situation will be monitored and, if necessary, a sluice gate will be put in place. In the meantime, a hydrometric gauge which was installed last summer on the lake is providing data which will be used in determining whether a sluice system is required. A gauge of this type requires at least one year's data before an appropriate water level may be ascertained. Another major element of the project will be the setting in place of a conservation plan for the habitats and work on the plan is at the preliminary draft stage. I understand that one significant land purchase has been successfully negotiated.
The tables contain details in relation to bird numbers on Glen Lake for various visits during the periods 18 November 1997 to 2 April 1998 and 9 September 1998 to 25 January 1999.
Table 1
Bird numbers on Glen Lake for various dates during the period 18 November 1997-2 April 1998.

Species

18.11.97

24.11.97

16.12.97

16.1.98

13.2.98

13.3.98

18.3.98

2.4.98

Mute Swan

6

4

3

5

1

2

2

11

Whooper Swan

155

50

101

240

–

196

106

–

Widgeon

5

50

–

–

–

–

–

59

Mallard

2

20

–

–

–

–

–

10

Shoveller

8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Golden Plover

200

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Lapwing

100

–

–

200

–

–

–

–

Curlew

–

–

–

–

5

–

–

2

Grey Heron

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

Greenland White-fronted Goose

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

72

Teal

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

84

Moorhen

–

–

–

–

–

–

4

7

Snipe

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4

Redshank

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

Black-headed Gull

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4

Herring Gull

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2
Table 2
Bird numbers on Glen Lake for various dates during the period 9 September 1998-25 January 1999.

Species

9.9.98

23.10.98

6.11.98

25.11.98

4.12.9

11.12.98

30.12.98

12.1.99

25.1.99

Mute Swan

–

3

2

–

4

3

6

1

8

Whooper Swan

–

34

–

10

–

82

299

2

80

Widgeon

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Mallard

–

15

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Shoveller

–

6

–

–

–

–

2

–

–

Golden Plover

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Lapwing

–

50

–

–

–

–

10

–

–

Curlew

–

1

–

–

–

–

30

–

20

Grey Heron

1

–

–

–

1

–

–

–

–

Greenland White-fronted Goose

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Teal

–

20

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Moorhen

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Snipe

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Redshank

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Black-headed Gull

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Herring Gull

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
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