Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 19 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 4

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

125 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason incorrect information was given in the reply to parliamentary Question No. 119 of 5 October 2000 in relation to designation of lands as her Department sent a letter to this person (details supplied) in County Mayo on 21 January 2000 acknowledging his letter and confirming the return of his maps. [22716/00]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the named individual farms land in two SAC sites, the Mweelrea/Sheefrey Erriff Complex – site number 1932 – and the Maumturk Mountains – site number 2008.

My reply on 5 October 2000 referred to his land in the Maumturk Mountains site, as the Deputy's question provided no exact location in connection with his query. This particular appeal could not be processed as the landowner had yet to supply the requisite map of his land. It was assumed that this land was the subject of the question.

In the case of land in the Mweelrea/Sheefrey Erriff Complex the landowner was advised on 3 February that this appeal was being referred to the SAC Appeals Advisory Board, which I established to enable landowners to have their objections examined independently of the staff of my Department. As this appeal was being dealt with by the board, separate from Dúchas, it was not recognised as being the subject of the question asked on 5 October 2000.

I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that the landowner will be advised of the outcome of this appeal within the next few days.