Trevor Sargent
Ceist:118 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the sites currently being surveyed for possible designation as special areas of conservation under the Habitats Directive. [4821/96]
Written Answers. - Natural Heritage Areas.
All sites previously advertised as proposed natural heritage areas are being examined to see if they meet the special areas of conservation (SAC) criteria. Where lands come to notice which were not previously considered for NHA designation, and which meet the SAC criteria, they are also being investigated with a view to proposing them for NHA and SAC designation.
A list of candidate sites is now being drawn up for the purpose of submission to the EU Commission. I intend to publish this list for public consultation and assessment following the making of the regulations to implement the Habitats Directive. At that stage owners-occupiers and relevant bodies will have an opportunity to object on scientific grounds to the list of sites.