My Department was informed in December 2012 about the proposed designation of six additional areas as Special Areas of Conservation, in accordance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011). The Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht published details of the proposed designations in the national press. As candidate special areas of conservation, these sites now enjoy all of the protections set out in S.I. 477 of 2011.
As a ‘public authority’ under S.I. 477 of 2011, I am required to comply with a number of obligations set out in Regulation 27 of that S.I. In summary, these obligations mean that I must ensure that fishing activities and aquaculture operations do not give rise to significant deterioration of habitats or disturbance of species, designated for protection in these sites. Activities licensed by my Department must be subjected to screening for appropriate assessment and/or appropriate assessment before I may consent to such activities.
Since the announcement of the proposed designations, my Department has been working with the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to identify fishing activities and aquaculture operations within the six sites, their interaction with designated features and potential impacts. This work is continuing and my Department will be in discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht to discuss these matters. I will be doing all within my power to ensure the continuance of fishing and aquaculture within these sites, while ensuring the protection of designated habitats and species, in compliance with my obligations in law under S.I. 477 of 2011.
Regulation 13 of S.I. 477 of 2011, and Annex III Stage 1 of the EU Habitats Directive, specify the circumstances in which a person affected by these proposed designations may object to the designation and the criteria on which any objection must be founded. I understand a deadline of 5 March 2013 has been set for the receipt of such objections by the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
