Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Roads Projects.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

262 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will make available Natura 2000 reports in respect of the proposed N7/N8 road works south of Portlaoise; and if such reports together with copies of research carried out in preparation of these reports could be made available to a group (details supplied) in County Laois. [8843/01]

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

Natura 2000 sites are sites of European importance which are proposed for designation as candidate special areas of conservation – cSAC – or designated as special protection areas under the EU habitats directive and birds directive, respectively.

I have made arrangements to have the Natura 2000 forms in respect of the relevant candidate SACs together with an explanatory note, site synopsis and a list of qualifying interests in respect of these sites forwarded to the Deputy. Background research reports are available for inspection at my Department's office if further detail is required.