Special Areas of Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2010

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Ceisteanna (224)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

292 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in reference to a proposed special protection area, SPA, site, (details supplied) if the Minister or his National Parks and Wildlife Service officials will make a comprehensive statement on the proposed SPA; if this statement will fully set out the entire requirements the designation will impose on local stakeholders including farmers, fishermen, oyster fishermen, foreshore licence holders and aquaculture licence holders; if he will provide comprehensive maps of the proposed SPA; if the Minister or a representative of the National Parks and Wildlife Service will meet with local stakeholders about this matter in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35437/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

My Department is currently engaged in a programme of classification of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive. This exercise includes the re-classification of many existing SPA sites including Trawbreaga Bay which was first designated some fifteen years ago. A judgment delivered by the European Court of Justice against Ireland in December 2007 found that Ireland's classification of its SPAs had been inadequate in some respects and this has necessitated the re-classification of many of the older sites.

The proposal to update the designation of Trawbreaga Bay as a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive was advertised on 4 August, 2010. Detailed information on the proposal was included with my Department's letter of 30 July, 2010 which issued to some 148 landowners and users identified as having an interest in the site. This material, including maps of the proposed site, was also made available through public access points in the area including Garda Stations, Teagasc offices, the local library and the offices of Donegal County Council. I have arranged for a copy of the information pack to be sent to the Deputy.

Appeals by affected landowners or users may be made by the 3 November, 2010.The re-designation process will be concluded, following consideration of any appeals submitted, with the making of a new Statutory Instrument for the site.