Special Protection Areas

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2010

Thursday, 7 October 2010

Ceisteanna (195)

David Stanton

Ceist:

195 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to his proposal to designate the Blackwater Estuary in County Cork as a special protection area, (details supplied) the impact, if any, this proposed designation would have on the use of the river by those involved in water based activities such as power-boating, sailing, water-skiing, fishing and other such activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/10]

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 under the Birds Directive. This exercise includes the re-classification of many existing SPA sites, including Blackwater Estuary which was first designated some sixteen 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 Blackwater Estuary was advertised on 4 August, 2010. Appeals by affected landowners or land users may be made up to 3 November, 2010. The re-designation process will be concluded, following consideration of any appeals submitted, with the making of a new Statutory Instruments for the site. My Department does not have concerns about current levels of recreational activities at this site.