Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Protection Areas.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

328 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the current position in relation to the case brought against Ireland by the European Court of Justice for failure to protect the State's largest special protection area and habitat of the rare red grouse in the Owenduff-Nephin Beg area of County Mayo. [15361/00]

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

As the Deputy will be aware this matter is sub judice and, as such, I am constrained in the information I may provide.

My Department is preparing to answer this case and will robustly defend the protection given to this SPA.