Vol. 523 No. 2
93 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to serious concern expressed by the Worldwide Fund for Nature that important wildlife sites are being excluded from the list of special areas of conservation being submitted to the EU Commission under the habitats directive; if she will review the additional sites proposed by the WWF for designation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20230/00]
I have recently received a copy of the WWF's "Habitats Directive WWF European Shadow List" and have noted its contents. The picture painted by the WWF is unnecessarily gloomy in respect of my proposals in relation to Irish SACs. The document refers to a 95% insufficiency in habitat sites and a 96% insufficiency in species sites as determined at a biogeographical seminar last year. However, this position does not take account of all my published proposals and reflected only sites already formally transmitted to the EU Commission at the time of the seminar. The delay in transmission resulted from the Government's commitment to consult fully with landowners and allow for the consideration of objections in order to secure broad acceptance of our proposals.
My Department will examine proposals for additional SACs from WWF and other sources. However, I would point out that the land and freshwater sites advertised to date cover almost 10% of the land area of the State and marine sites an additional 4%. This places Ireland mid-way in the tables of the percentage of territory included in the Natura 2000 network by the member states. The directive requires member states to contribute to the creation of the Natura 2000 network in proportion to the representation within its territory of habitats and species listed in the directive. I am satisfied that this condition will be met by my proposals once formal transmission is completed.
94 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the fact that acceptance by landowners of special areas of conservation designations on their land would be improved with greater consultation prior to designation; and the plans she has to ensure greater consultation takes place. [20734/00]
I am fully committed to, and have at all times emphasised the importance of as much consultation as possible with landowners and users, in relation to proposals for SAC designation. To date in excess of 13,500 landowners have been notified individually. I have also arranged for my officials to assist landowners and users in electing local liaison committees. These committees give landowners a direct input into decisions about management regimes for individual sites.
The Deputy will also be aware that I have established an SAC appeals advisory board to hear objections from landowners to the inclusion of their lands within proposed sites. Furthermore, I have undertaken to compensate landowners for income losses arising from any restrictions on the management of their lands within SACs which may be required to maintain their conservation status.
Question No. 95 taken with Question No. 90.
