Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 1

Written Answers - Special Protection Areas.

Dan Neville

Question:

457 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if Dúchas will ensure that the farming population of the Mountcollins, Templeglantine and Barna Hill areas are not forced out of the area by their designation as a special protection area for birds. [5490/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

My Department's heritage service is currently considering the suitability of nine upland areas for designation as special protection areas, SPAs, in respect of the hen harrier, one of the species for which SPAs are to be designated under the European Directive on the conservation of wild birds – 79/409/EEC. One of these sites is the Stack's-Mullaghareirks Mountains, County Limerick, which is in the general vicinity of the townlands mentioned in the question. Preparatory scientific work to confirm the suitability of SPA sites and define their boundaries is currently under way, and none of the sites being considered has been formally proposed for designation.

In general, existing farming activities are likely to be fully compatible with the conservation requirements of bird species for which SPAs are designated. In these circumstances, there will be no need to place any restrictions on traditional farming activity. I reaffirm that I am committed to paying fair and reasonable compensation to landowners for any actual loss shown to have been incurred as a result of any restrictions that may be imposed on existing activities consequent on designation of their lands. Special protection areas also attract higher levels of payment to farmers who join the rural environment protection scheme.