Vol. 546 No. 3
314 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department and the planning authorities are breaching rules with the location of the Corrib gas field development being in a candidate special area of conservation. [31447/01]
The designation of an area as a special area of conservation, SAC, does not preclude development in general or specific projects, such as the development of the Corrib gas field provided the requirements of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997 (SI 94/1997), are adhered to. My Department has adhered to these requirements and I am advised that the planning authorities have also done so.
