Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
71. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if by-law No. 840 of 2008 is compliant with the EU habitats directive and legally admissible for Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63371/22]
View answerAlignment of the conservation Bye-law, referred to by the Deputy, with the EU Habitats Directive is provided for in the European Communities (Natural Habitats ) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No.94/1997). The Regulations set out, at section 31, the circumstances where an Appropriate Assessment, as cited in the Regulations, may be required and those where it may not be required.
The particular bye-law referred to by the Deputy has been place for 14 years. However, to provide for the most robust, modern, comprehensive and sustainable management of these waters, I requested Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to prepare and submit to me a draft management plan for a number of lakes including Lough Corrib. Following public consultation on the draft Plan, a final Plan is being prepared for publication.
