Vol. 490 No. 6
33 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the way in which it was decided that only 8,500 hectares, in 33 sites, of raised bog are to be special areas of conservation when Ireland has 23,665 hectares of raised bog national heritage areas which have a high conservation value and represent 51 per cent of the remaining global reserve of this bogland type. [10779/98]
Annex III of Directive 92/43/EEC, better known as the Habitats Directive, lays down the criteria for assessment at national level of the relative importance of sites for each natural habitat type in Annex I of the Directive. These are: (a) degree of representativity of the natural habitat type on the site; (b) area of the site covered by the natural habitat type in relation to the total area covered by that natural habitat type within national territory; (c) degree of conservation of the structure and functions of the natural habitat type concerned and restoration possibilities; and (d) global assessment of the value of the site for conservation of the natural habitat type concerned.
Ireland's raised bog areas were carefully considered in the light of those criteria, and following that assessment the areas that clearly met the specified conditions were proposed for special area of conservation status.
In general, those sites proposed for inclusion within our SAC network represent the best remaining examples of active raised bog, and my Department's scientists are satisfied that the amount and extent proposed will satisfactorily secure the conservation of this important habitat type. Representations have been made to my Department requesting that consideration be given to the inclusion of additional areas, and those representations will be carefully examined, again taking account of the relevant criteria.
