Billy Timmins
Ceist:46 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the work to date of the Special Areas of Conservation Appeals Advisory Board; and the number of cases to be dealt with. [11055/99]
Written Answers. - SAC Appeals Advisory Board.
The SAC Appeals Advisory Board has carried out considerable preparatory work which will allow it to commence consideration of individual cases very shortly. Currently, there are 53 cases before the board for consideration. Earlier, one of the impediments to the progress of the board's work was the fact that there was no financial aid available to appellants who, must under the terms of the European Community (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, make appeals on scientific grounds only. I have now arranged for financial assistance to be made available to deserving appellants through the board and with its prior approval.