Wildlife Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Questions (1708)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

1708. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will clarify Regulation 25 of the European Communities (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011; if she is satisfied that landowners are aware of this obligation; if landowners have been properly notified and made aware of all the activities requiring consent and, in particular, other restrictions applying to the site; in the event that a landowner is not familiar with all of the activities requiring consent or other restrictions that apply to their lands, where landowners can obtain this information in advance of disposing of their interest in such lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32213/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Regulation 25 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 requires the owner or occupier of a European site to notify any person to whom he or she is disposing of the site or of an interest in the site (such as turbary or sporting rights) that the site is a European site and of any consequent restrictions applying to the site. Regulation 25 does not relate to a situation where the owner is seeking a mortgage. At the time of the original notification of the intention to designate protected nature conservation sites, landowners/users were supplied with a map of the proposed area, information on the site outlining the habitats and species being protected and a list of activities that would require consent before being undertaken. Advertisements were published in local newspapers and copies of the maps and advertisements distributed to public access points in the locality.

Owners or occupiers of land may seek further information with regard to site boundaries or activities that require consent by contacting local staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Contact details can be found on www.npws.ie.