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Special Areas of Conservation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004

Tuesday, 14 December 2004

Questions (384)

Gerard Murphy

Question:

407 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether special protection areas for the hen harrier would not interfere with the building of wind turbines. [33459/04]

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Written answers

All EU member states are obliged, in accordance with the directive on the conservation of wild birds, 79/409/EEC, to designate special protection areas for the conservation of species such as the hen harrier, listed in annex 1 of the directive. The birds and habitats directives also require that appropriate steps are taken to avoid in protected areas, any significant disturbance of the species for which the area has been designated, or any significant deterioration of their habitats. These obligations provide the context for application of the draft guidelines to wind energy development proposals affecting protected areas for the hen harrier or any other bird species.

Draft guidelines for planning authorities on wind energy development, issued by my Department in August 2004, provide that designation of a site as, for example, a special protection area, should not preclude the development of wind energy projects. The draft guidelines advise that the best results for the incorporation of nature conservation considerations into development proposals in designated sites are achieved where prospective applicants and planning authorities work together to identify whether the development may impinge upon particular aspects of habitat protection, with a view to agreeing on any measures that may be needed to avoid or minimise any potential adverse impacts.

The draft guidelines also advise that research and monitoring on the interaction of birds and wind turbines will continue to elucidate more fully the extent of any impacts, their significance and possible mitigation measures. The draft guidelines are being finalised and will be issued shortly as a statement of ministerial policy to which planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála should have regard when considering individual applications for permission.

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