Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 8

Written Answers. - Wexford Harbour Special Protection Area.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

112 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the communications procedure between the Office of Public Works and owners and users; and if he will give the assurances and right of appeal available to certain organisations (details supplied) in County Wexford following the announcement of the intention by the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to declare Wexford Harbour a special protection area under the 1979/409/EC Bird Directive.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

The designation of Wexford Harbour as an SPA was agreed with the Department of Marine, the owner of the State foreshore area involved. A further 11 areas were also agreed. Because of the diversity of interests involved, it was decided to place a Public Notice in the four main daily papers requesting public submissions within a one month period.

This notice was placed in the four main daily papers on 7 April 1993. The same notice was placed in "The Shooting and Angling News" and "he Marine Times". A copy of the notice, information note and maps were sent to the following:

(1) Relevant local authorities, county councils and corporations including Wexford County Council and Corporation.

(2) Relevant harbour authorities, commercial and fishery.

(3) Headquarters of all commercial fishing organisations as well as the Main Sea Angling Association.

(4) All watersports organisations listed in the 1993 Cuspoir publication.

(5) The Irish Shellfish Organisation.

(6) The National Association of Regional Game Councils.

(7) Irish Wildbird Conservancy and Irish Wildlife Federation.

(8) BIM and ESB

(9) Information was supplied to any member of the public who requested it.

A formalised right of appeal was not envisaged as the Department of Marine, the Government body responsible for State Foreshore areas, had agreed the designation.

I will endeavour to re-assure all users of the area that the current usages of Wexford Harbour will not be affected, nor will foreseeable developments of these activities. The sites currently proposed for SPA designations (including Wexford Harbour) are of international importance for wildbirds, and will remain thus so long as significant pollution, deterioration, or disturbance of habitat are avoided.

It is in the interest of all users of the area that such deterioration would be avoided. The designation of SPA's is an obligation under the EC Birds Directive.

Wexford Harbour Board	— Statutory
Wexford County Council	— Statutory
Wexford Corporation	— Statutory
Lett & Co., Shellfish Processors	— Commercial
Wexford Musselmens Association	— Employment
Wexford Fishermen's Association	— Employment
Rosslare Fianna Fáil Cumann	— Political
Wexford Regional Game Council	— Recreation
Wexford Harbour Wildfowlers Association	— Recreation
Burrow GPA	— Recreation
Wexford Sea Angling Association	— Recreation
Wexford & District Sea Angling Association	— Recreation
Kilmore & District Sea Angling Association	— Recreation
Wexford Harbour Boat Club	— Recreation
Wexford Action Group	— Recreation
Kilmuckridge Sea Angling Association	— Concerned Citizens
Wexford Cot Sailing Association	— Recreation
Wexford Sub Aqua Club	— Recreation
New Ross & District Sea Angling Club	— Recreation
River Slaney GPA	— Recreation
Wexford Coastal Action Group	— General
The People of Rosslare	— General
Landowners of Hopeland & Burrow	— Concerned Citizens
Castlebridge Wildfowlers	— Recreation
Wexford Boat Owners & Boat Charters	— Commercial/ Recreation
Wexford Power Boat Association	— Commercial/ Recreation