Vol. 475 No. 1
161 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will accept recommendations from local authorities prior to the introduction of legislation to deal with natural heritage areas and their designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4474/97]
Natural heritage areas (NHAs) are still only at the proposal stage and no designations will take place until an amendment to the Wildlife Act, 1976, is passed by the Oireachtas. I expect to be in a position to publish this Bill in the near future. Before any formal designations are made, those affected by designation proposals will have an opportunity to object or to suggest modifications to the areas proposed for designation. I will consider any recommendations received from local authorities on these matters.
The EU Habitats Directive requires member states to identify areas of community importance for nature conservation, and to protect them through their designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). I am about to make regulations to transpose the Habitats Directive into Irish law, and the process leading to SAC designation will commence very soon thereafter. Those affected by designation proposals will have three months from when proposals are published to object to the proposal. The directive provides that only scientific objections can be considered in this context.
162 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the compensation package, if any, he proposes to introduce for farmers whose lands will be included as natural heritage areas; and when they will not be eligible for afforestation grants. [4475/97]
Natural Heritage Area (NHAs) are still only at the proposal stage and no designations will take place until an amendment to the Wildlife Act, 1976, is passed by the Oireachtas. I expect to be in a position to publish this Bill in the near future. The EU Habitats Directive requires member states to identify areas of community importance for nature conservation, and to protect them through their designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
Compensation will be payable for the changes in farming practices which will be compulsory as a result of the designation as SACs of private land. Changes will not be compulsory in NHAs to the question of compensation will not arise. Under the European law, grants for afforestation administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry are payable only where the proposed planting will not damage the environment. The calculation of losses arising from the inclusion of land in an SAC could not therefore take account of these grants. Full compensation will be payable for other losses. However, I am advised that in most cases planting of trees in these areas is not economic without grant aid.
