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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 4

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

44 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to publish her proposals for new or extended special areas of conservation for the protection of salmon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31807/01]

As the Deputy is aware, I have decided in principle to propose new or extended SACs for the protection of salmon but these cannot be formally proposed and published until surveys to define their boundaries have been completed. This work is now well under way. Although it is difficult to estimate precisely, I am advised that the necessary survey work should be completed early in 2002.

The second biogeographical seminar to evaluate proposals for all habitats and species from member states in the Atlantic region of the European Union is now scheduled for March 2002. I have concluded that further SAC proposals from Ireland, should, as far as possible, be published as one final tranche. Accordingly the final tranche will be published when the boundaries for salmon sites have been determined, and in the light of the conclusions of the Atlantic region seminar.

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