Vol. 522 No. 3
209 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the remedial and legal action to be taken in cases of SAC priority habitats being damaged, as is happening (details supplied) at Buckroney, Brittas Bay, County Wicklow. [18595/00]
I am grateful to the Deputy for bringing to my attention the possible damage to an SAC at Brittas Bay. I have asked Dúchas, the heritage division of my Department, to investigate his report as a matter of urgency.
In cases where it appears that an individual may damage a site, and that person does not prove amenable to persuasion, I can and do resort to legal sanctions. These sanctions can include court injunctions and, where appropriate, prosecutions. Those found to be in breach of the regulations are liable to a fine and-or imprisonment and they can also be required to restore any damage they have done.
