I propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 together.
Most existing quarries surrounded by or adjoining lands that qualified for designation under the EU habitats directive were not included in proposals for candidate special areas of conservation – cSAC – at the time of assessment for designation. Usually these quarries no longer contained qualifying habitats or species, and the existing quarrying activity was not inconsistent with conservation of the adjoining lands.
Where a landowner or land-user wishes to contest the boundaries of a particular site amendments of cSACs may be made where this is justified on scientific grounds. A landowner or land-user may initially appeal informally to my Department. In the event that the informal appeal is not resolved to the satisfaction of the appellant, the appeal is referred to the Appeals Advisory Board. The board may recommend boundary changes to me on foot of hearing the appeal. Amendment of boundaries may also arise where my Department staff identifies a need to amend a boundary on foot of additional survey work or other new information. Dúchas files record one case – details supplied to the Deputy – in County Galway where an appeal to have lands including a quarry excluded from a cSAC was partly successful.