The position in relation to developments on lands designated as special areas of conservation, SACs, or proposed for such a designation, is that those activities requiring planning permission, or for which a licence from another Minister is required, will continue to operate through the existing procedures. The role of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is confined to giving advice on whether a development is likely to cause significant ecological damage to important natural areas, particularly those which are required to be protected under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.
The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) specifies that no significant damage should occur to the ecology of sites designated as SACs. Planning authorities and other Ministers are required to take cognisance of these provisions when deciding on applications.
Developments with the potential to damage the ecology - other than those requiring planning permission or a licence issued by another Minister - will require my consent. Each individual application will be examined in the light of its possible impact on the environment and only those developments likely to cause significant ecological damage to an SAC will be prohibited.