Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

508 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has following the refusal of the turf cutters to participate in the liaison committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8385/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 316 of 9 March 1999. As the Deputy is aware, special areas of conservation – SACs – arise by virtue of the EU Habitats Directive which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. SACs are, therefore, a legal obligation as part of our membership of the EU.

The purpose of liaison committees was to improve the flow of information between my Department and land holders in proposed SACs. A series of meetings is taking place throughout the country with a view to setting up these committees and when this process is completed, I will review the situation in relation to those SACs where, by then, no liaison committees have been formed.

I would strongly recommend that land holders participate in liaison committees as the purpose in setting them up was to fill the information gap which land holders had complained about in the ongoing and developing situation in relation to SACs.