Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2016
145. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide a map of the special areas of conservation in County Tipperary; the restrictions on land designated as such and the compensation available to landowners whose land is designated as such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13857/16]
View answer146. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the restrictions on agricultural land in County Tipperary, other than restrictions under special areas of conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13858/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation. My Department works with farmers, other landowners and users, and national and local authorities, trying to achieve the best balance possible between farming and land-use on the one hand, and requirements for conserving nature in these selected areas, on the other.
There are 37 areas in County Tipperary selected for designation as special areas of conservation, special protection areas or natural heritage areas, as set out in the following table:
|
Site Code |
Site Name |
|
000216 |
River Shannon Callows SAC |
|
000585 |
Sharavogue Bog SAC |
|
000641 |
Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog SAC |
|
000646 |
Galtee Mountains SAC |
|
000647 |
Kilcarren-Firville Bog SAC |
|
000930 |
Clare Glen SAC |
|
000934 |
Kilduff, Devilsbit Mountain SAC |
|
000939 |
Silvermine Mountains SAC |
|
001197 |
Keeper Hill SAC |
|
001683 |
Liskeenan Fen SAC |
|
001847 |
Philipston Marsh SAC |
|
002124 |
Bolingbrook Hill SAC |
|
002125 |
Anglesey Road SAC |
|
002137 |
Lower River Suir SAC |
|
002162 |
River Barrow and River Nore SAC |
|
002165 |
Lower River Shannon SAC |
|
002170 |
Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC |
|
002241 |
Lough Derg, North-east Shore SAC |
|
002257 |
Moanour Mountain SAC |
|
002258 |
Silvermines Mountains West SAC |
|
002353 |
Redwood Bog SAC |
|
004058 |
Lough Derg (Shannon) SPA |
|
004086 |
River Little Brosna Callows SPA |
|
004096 |
Middle Shannon Callows SPA |
|
004165 |
Slievefelim to Silvermines Mountains SPA |
|
000564 |
River Little Brosna Callows NHA |
|
000640 |
Arragh More Bog NHA |
|
000642 |
Ballymacegan Bog NHA |
|
000648 |
Killeen Bog NHA |
|
000652 |
Monaincha Bog/Ballaghmore Bog NHA |
|
000890 |
Cangort Bog NHA |
|
000937 |
Scohaboy Bog NHA |
|
001684 |
Lorrha Bog NHA |
|
001853 |
Nore Valley Bogs NHA |
|
002385 |
Mauherslieve Bog NHA |
|
002388 |
Slievenamon Bog NHA |
|
002450 |
Bleanbeg Bog NHA |
Areas selected for designation can overlap and many cross county boundaries. Further information on all these sites is available on the website www.npws.ie/protectedsites and the boundaries of each site can be viewed on the website also.
However, if the Deputy wishes, I can arrange for a site pack for each site (or any specific sites identified) to be sent to him. These site packs include a map of each site, the particular requirements for each site and details on compensation provisions.
In order to protect the ecology of such sites, certain activities within protected sites may only be undertaken with my prior consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, or with the consent of another appropriate public authority. There is no blanket prohibition on undertaking these activities but carrying out any such activity without obtaining prior consent is an offence. The activities can vary from site to site as they relate to the particular species or habitat for which the site has been selected.
However, there is no requirement to obtain my consent as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if:
(a) the activity is licensed by or subject to the permission of another public authority; or
(b) the activity is specified as permitted in a farm or land management plan (subject to compliance with any conditions set out therein).
In practice, anyone wishing to carry out any of the activities listed should contact my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service prior to carrying out such work to establish what requirements may apply.
