I am aware of the issues referred to by the Deputy and I met recently with a deputation of local residents to discuss matters with them. As a local representative, I am, of course, concerned at the many issues that arise in situations such as this and I am anxious to help in any way that I can.
The technical advice available to me from Dúchas, my Department's heritage service, is that the activities presently causing concern to residents do not constitute a threat to the proposed special area of conservation (SAC) at this location. However, I have asked that the matter be investigated further, both by the ecological staff of Dúchas in the context of the SAC, and by its archaeological staff in the context of the archaeological sites in the area.
From a legal perspective, the Deputy should be aware that under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, responsibility for issues such as illegal encampments, with their attendant problems of illegal dumping, remain the responsibility of the local authority, where such encampments impinge on SACs.
