Vol. 567 No. 5
404 Ms Enright asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has been stopped from reclaiming their own lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14297/03]
Parts of this person's lands were included within Clara Bog candidate special area of conservation, cSAC, in 1997. The person was requested by my Department to cease digging drains on part of his land as no notice had been given or consent obtained under the EU (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 prior to the undertaking of this work. Subsequently, most of his land was excluded from the cSAC following an informal appeal. Restrictions no longer apply to that portion of his land. The person has been advised that he may appeal the designation of the remainder of his land to the Special Areas of Conservation Appeals Advisory Board. In the meantime, staff of my Department had a meeting with the person on 22 May 2003 to assist in resolving outstanding issues.
