Emmet Stagg
Question:21 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason the River Liffey was not designated as a special area of conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20316/01]
Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.
There is a very large amount of knowledge about salmon in Ireland, but more limited hard scientific data on salmon population numbers. In evaluating sites for proposal as special areas of conservation for salmon under the EU Habitats Directive, my Department, having consulted widely in the matter, and particularly with the central and regional fisheries boards, has used the best information available under the following headings: sites of importance because of the size of the salmon population; sites important for spring salmon, which are genetically distinct and more threatened; good geographic range, that is, rivers from around Ireland; reasonable prospects regarding water quality and physical condition; and, where appropriate, significant presence in sites of other habitats or species listed under the Habitats Directive. I am satisfied that this has resulted in extensive information on salmon distribution and abundance being brought to bear on the selection of rivers to be proposed as SACs for salmon. On the basis of this information it has been concluded that the River Liffey does not meet the required standard. I do not, therefore, intend to propose it for designation as a special area of conservation.