I have not seen the report to which the Deputy refers nor am I aware of the criteria used or the identity of the assessors. I consider Ireland is implementing the Habitats Directive in an effective manner. Delays in sending proposals to the European Commission arose mainly from Ireland's insistence on engaging in full consultation with affected parties before formally proposing candidate sites. This process of consultation means that landowners will have greater appreciation and acceptance of the needs of conservation and this will result in Ireland's implementation of the directive being more effective in the long-term.
I understand that the Natura 2000 Barometer, published by the European Commission, which is used to allocate placings to member states taking account of the extent to which they have met the requirements of the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive, ranks Ireland in seventh place out of the 15 member states.
The Deputy will be aware that the directive was transposed into Irish law in February 1997 by means of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. A total of 362 sites, covering almost 1,000,000 hectares of land and water have to date been formally transmitted to the Commission. These sites are fully protected under national legislation. These proposals will be assessed in the light of currently available scientific information at the Atlantic Region Biogeographical Seminar scheduled for September 2001. Having regard to the number and extent of candidate SACs now proposed, I anticipate that Ireland's proposals will be deemed sufficient for most habitats and species. If deficiencies are identified for a small number of habitats or species, further decisions will be taken in the light of the conclusions of the seminar.