Vol. 554 No. 5
1502 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the discussions his Department has had with other Departments in relation to designation, implementation and compensation for special area of conservation lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16198/02]
Section 4(1) of the European Communities (Natural Habitat) Regulations, 1997, specifies certain Ministers and other public bodies which must receive details of candidate special areas of conservation in advance of formal transmission to the European Commission. This notification has been complied with in all cases.
In addition to this statutory consultation, Dúchas had discussions with the then Department of Marine and Natural Resources about designation and implementation of marine SACs. Dúchas has also had detailed discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Food, on a range of issues with particular reference to compensation for farmers with lands in SACs.
