Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Jack Wall

Question:

19 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by a number of leading Irish environmental groups that a lack of information with regard to Irish habitats and species has prevented their designation as special areas of conservation; the steps she will take to address the concerns expressed by the groups to ensure the widest possible availability of this information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4980/01]

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

I am aware of the concerns expressed by environmental groups relating to an alleged lack of information preventing the designation of special areas of conservation. I do not accept that these concerns are valid. I believe that there is sufficient information available to my Department in respect of all relevant habitats and species other than the dolphin to enable an appropriate selection of Natura 2000 sites to be made. My Department is consulting other relevant bodies to ascertain appropriate sites for the dolphin.

The EU habitats directive requires the European Commission to adopt national lists of candidate sites prior to member states designating them. The Irish national list forms part of the Atlantic biogeographical region and I may not designate these sites until the Atlantic region list is so adopted. My understanding from informal contacts with the European Commission is that, in general, it is pleased with the list of 362 sites provided by Ireland. My Department is aware of the proposals submitted by non-governmental conservation organisations which are being evaluated.

The fact that I have formally transmitted 362 candidate SACs, covering an area in excess of 900,000 hectares, indicates that there is a substantial amount of information relating to habitats and species available to my Department. All this information is available to the general public and non-governmental conservation organisations. My Department proposes to update its website, which will assist public access to this information.