Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2009
347 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if permission can be granted by his Department to a group (details supplied) to place bank protection boulders at Poll a Cúr and Lin a Buí to ensure that remedial works can be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34837/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe River Feale is a candidate Special Area of Conservation, particularly for salmon, but also for lamprey, otter and several threatened habitats. Because of its designation, rock-armouring works of the river bank such as those proposed would be considered a notifiable activity, and therefore Ministerial consent must be sought to ensure that no works are carried out that would result in damage to the conservation interests.
My Department has granted permission, subject to a number of conditions, for similar works in the Feale in the past. As this case also involves turning and raking of spawning gravel, probably mechanically, these works require ecological assessment. I expect that this assessment will be completed very shortly and a decision will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
