Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2011
69 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the methodology used to draft up the conditions attached to special protection areas; and if consideration will be given to reducing the number of conditions attached to SPAs, particularly for farmers and for those wishing to build a one off house on their lands. [31626/11]
View answerThe EU Birds Directive requires all Member States to classify the most suitable areas in their territory as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the conservation of those bird species listed in Annex I of the Directive and also for regularly occurring migratory species. Included within the network of SPA sites are areas used by birds for breeding, feeding, roosting and wintering. A list of Special Conservation Interests is set out for each SPA site specifying those Annex I and migratory bird species which occur in nationally or internationally important numbers at that particular site.
In order to protect the sites, and as required by the Birds and Habitats Directives, a list of Activities Requiring Consent (ARCs) are put in place for each SPA. These activities have been identified by my Department as having the potential to negatively affect the populations of the protected species and act as a notification mechanism which safeguards the site and its bird populations. The list of activities is tailored for each site and includes only those which may potentially cause damage to the site.
Activities Requiring Consent are not prohibited in SPAs. However, consent must be secured before they can be undertaken. This is generally a straightforward process undertaken by the local National Parks and Wildlife ranger or other official. Other works or developments that secure consent through other processes, such as the planning system, do not require separate consent from my Department. The planning system has its own processes, as required by the Birds and Habitats Directive, to ensure that the impact of any proposed development on the SPA is fully considered before planning consents are given.
