Special Protection Areas Designation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2015

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Ceisteanna (253)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

253. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in making a decision regarding an appeal for a proposal to designate nine sites on Inishbofin Island, County Galway, as a special protection area, which was lodged 20 months ago, particularly as the areas appeal board advisory committee visited the island on 8 May 2013; the date that the recommendation of the appeals board was communicated to her Department; the processes followed by her Department since in consideration of this appeal; when a recommendation was sent to her for a decision; the reasons this decision has not been made, particularly in view of the promises made on taking office by this Government in relation to a democratic revolution and better government; when a decision is now expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3052/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

A number of landowners had objected to the designation of their lands within the Inishboffin, Omey, Turbot Islands proposed special protection area. Following a Departmental review the landowners opted to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board, an independently chaired Board which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on such cases.

I understand that the Board had not been in a position to meet for a number of months in late 2013 and early 2014, resulting in some delay. The matter was considered by the Board on 17 April 2014 when the recommendations were finalised and subsequently submitted to the then Minister.

Ministers must ensure that the designations appeals process is completed in the appropriate manner to meet the requirements of the relevant European Union legislation. Following receipt of the recommendations, my predecessor felt it would be useful to arrange a meeting between the Board members and officials of the Department to review the process followed. As a result, no decision was taken on the recommendations pending this meeting, which took place on 20 October 2014.

Following that meeting and having considered fully the recommendations, I have recently decided upon all these cases. My Department is currently in the process of notifying the appellants of the outcome.