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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 3

Written Answers. - Habitats Directive.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

210 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether the intention of the habitats directive is not to prohibit economic activities in or in the vicinity of SACs or SPAs but to ensure that such activities are compatible with the maintenance of each site. [30261/00]

I agree that the intention of the habitats directive is to ensure that economic activities are environmentally sustainable not to prevent them. Article 2 of the habitats directive clearly states the aims of the directive as follows: "the aim of this directive shall be to contribute towards ensuring bio-diversity through the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the European territory of the member states to which the Treaty applies; measures taken pursuant to this directive shall be designed to maintain or restore, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest; measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall take account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional characteristics".

Activities or developments that are incompatible with the maintenance of the favourable conservation status of land included in SACs and SPAs are prohibited, other than in exceptional circumstances of overriding public interest. Activities which are compatible with conservation are not prohibited.

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