Vol. 540 No. 2
93 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will have responsibility for the protection of the proposed marine special areas of conservation; if inspections at sea will form part of this monitoring; and the resources which have been allocated for this role. [20271/01]
Procedures for the designation and protection of special areas of conservation, – SACs – are prescribed by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 94 of 1997), made by my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Arrangements for the protection of SACs, including marine areas, require relevant Ministers to ensure that an appropriate assessment is carried out of the implications of any operation or activity likely to have a significant effect on an SAC. Except for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, any such operation or activity may be undertaken or authorised only if the Minister concerned has ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC in question.
The foregoing requirements apply in respect of a number of enactments for which I am responsible, including the Foreshore Acts, the Fisheries Acts, the Dumping at Sea Act, 1996, and enactments relating to minerals, oil and gas. Accordingly the administration of those Acts by my Department is informed by the need to ensure the protection of SACs. Inspections are undertaken, as necessary, in connection with proposed operations or activities, as an integral part of considering the proposals.
