Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 February 2010
429 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Heritage and Wildlife Service have reconsidered its opposition to the proposal to breach the causeway linking the Bull Island, County Dublin to the mainland in order to restore a tidal flow and prevent the island from silting up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8668/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraBull Island is both a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area under the EU Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respectively. Unless they could be described as necessary for the management of the site, any proposal to undertake such works would require an appropriate assessment as provided for in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive. This assessment would ascertain whether the proposed works would have an adverse impact on the integrity of the site, in view of its conservation objectives. The conclusions of such an assessment would, in part, determine whether such works could be consented to.
I understand that no proposal has been made to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in this regard, nor has it been asked for observations on such a proposal.
