Vol. 555 No. 2
400 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if pressure is being put on the EU by the Government to enforce its habitat directives in EU overseas territories, such as New Caledonia, Bermuda, St. Helena, Ascension, all UK, Dutch Antilles, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion and Greenland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18219/02]
The aim of the Habitats Directive, as stated in Article 2.1 of the directive, is to contribute towards ensuring bio-diversity through the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the European territory of the member states to which the treaty applies. The conservation of habitats in the overseas territories of other member states has not been raised within the EU by the Government in the context of the Habitats Directive, as this is not applicable to such overseas territories.
