Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Other Questions. - EU Directives.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

5 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to a recent report by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature which demonstrated that of 14 European nations, Ireland ranked lowest in its implementation of the Habitats Directive; her views on whether this report supports the five Irish NGOs which in 2000 produced a special area of conservation shadow list which included 648 sites compared to her 365 sites; and if she will now reconsider her position that Ireland had provided a sufficient list of sites to satisfy its obligations under the Habitats Directive. [20230/01]

Miss de Valera

I have not seen the report to which the Deputy refers nor am I aware of the criteria used or the identity of the assessors. I consider Ireland is implementing the Habitats Directive in an effective manner. Delays in sending proposals to the European Commission arose mainly from Ireland's insistence on engaging in full consultation with affected parties before formally proposing candidate sites. This process of consultation means that landowners will have greater appreciation and acceptance of the needs of conservation and this will result in Ireland's implementation of the directive being more effective in the long-term.

I understand that the Natura 2000 Barometer, published by the European Commission, which is used to allocate placings to member states taking account of the extent to which they have met the requirements of the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive, ranks Ireland in seventh place out of the 15 member states.

The Deputy will be aware that the directive was transposed into Irish law in February 1997 by means of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. A total of 362 sites, covering almost 1,000,000 hectares of land and water have to date been formally transmitted to the Commission. These sites are fully protected under national legislation. These proposals will be assessed in the light of currently available scientific information at the Atlantic Region Biogeographical Seminar scheduled for September 2001. Having regard to the number and extent of candidate SACs now proposed, I anticipate that Ireland's proposals will be deemed sufficient for most habitats and species. If deficiencies are identified for a small number of habitats or species, further decisions will be taken in the light of the conclusions of the seminar.

Mr. Sargent

Do I understand the Minister correctly that she has not seen this report which has been on the Internet since its publication last week? If so, what does this say about her interest in the wildlife conservation? The Minister referred to an EU report. Does she agree that the scope of that report was quite limited in that it focused on a specific number of sites rather than considering the totality of conservation in the countries in question? Does the Minister further agree it is extremely worrying that in regard to planning permissions sought in SAC areas, Dúchas is on record as only commenting on 24% of these and only objecting to 8%? This would seem to indicate a very lackadaisical and inadequate response from the Department to conservation needs.

Miss de Valera

I have not formally received any report in this area and, unlike some Members, I do not intend to comment on a report I have not seen. The Natura 2000 Barometer which is compiled in an independent fashion is published by the European Commission and is obviously of worth as it would, otherwise, be pointless. Each member state has regard to the barometer and Ireland ranked seventh out of 15 member states.

Following the Atlantic Regional Biogeographical Seminar, there will be a further opportunity to consider the issue of SACs if that is deemed necessary. Although Dúchas has a role in regard to planning, the Department of the Environment and Local Government has primary responsibility for planning matters.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Minister has exceeded her time.

Miss de Valera

At the end of the day, planning is an issue for local authorities and An Bord Pleanála.

Mr. Sargent

I am disappointed by the role played by Dúchas. In the event of the Government being taken to court in Luxembourg on 11 July for its poor record on environmental and conservation matters, does the Minister feel ignorance will be any defence there in regard to not having seen an international report which is available on the Internet, an accepted means of disseminating information? Will the Minister ensure that the specific management plans for the Natura 2000 network which were supposed to have been completed by March 1999 are completed without delay? To date she has relied on European life funding. Will she ensure Government resources, which have been badly lacking, are put into the work of conservation?

Mr. U. Burke

Is the Minister aware that of the 365 designated sites, there is a concentration of them in the West, particularly in County Galway, where more than 20% of the land area of the county has been designated? Having regard to the NGOs shadow list which includes up to 600 plus sites, the Mnister should balance the situation countrywide rather than have a concentration of these sites on the Western seaboard.

Miss de Valera

It is interesting that two different views have been expressed. Some Deputies want far greater land to be included under candidate SACs while others are disturbed that they would seem to be concentrated only in some areas. As Deputy Burke will understand, the designation of SACs is done purely on a scientific basis. It is not a question of east versus west or north versus south. It depends on the whereabouts of the habitats that need particular protection. Some counties have more SACs than others, but that has happened because of scientific assessment.

I am sure Deputy Sargent will accept there are certain procedures for getting and assessing information and that they would not necessarily be followed if one was to spend time searching the Internet, although a great deal of information is to be found there. I have not seen the report because it would not have been formally given to me. It is important that particular procedures are followed to ensure there is order and strategy to approaching these issues.