Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

254 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her policy in relation to special areas of conservation; the number already created; the number pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20745/01]

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

The Habitats Directive requires member states to propose relevant natural areas for designation as special areas of conservation for the conservation of listed habitats and species, and to protect their favourable conservation status. It also requires member states to transmit a list of the proposed areas together with full information on each site to the EU Commission. The directive specifies scientific criteria for the selection of these areas. The directive was transposed into Irish law by means of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.

A total of 362 sites have been publicly proposed for designation and receive protection in Irish law from the date of public notification in each case. I have now transmitted all 362 candidate special areas of conservation to the EU Commission in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Habitats Directive. My Department is also examining the question of proposing a final additional batch of cSACS for salmon.

Apart from the aforementioned additions, however, I have no plans to add to this list in advance of the Atlantic Region Biogeographical Seminar currently scheduled for September 2001. This seminar will be asked to assess our proposals for SACs in the light of currently available scientific information.