Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the official policy and protocols regarding the seeking of application for planting forestry in a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall aim of the European Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of habitats and species which are threatened throughout Europe and deemed highly sensitive to change. These habitats and species are listed in the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC). Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) – also known as Natura sites – are designated to afford protection to the most vulnerable of these habitats and species. As such, SACs and SPAs are a key component in the protection of rare and endangered habitats and species, both in Ireland and at a European and international level.
One of the key protective measures under this European legislation is the requirement under Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive to apply an appropriate assessment procedure, to consider any possible impact on the conservation objectives of a Natura site that might arise from a plan or project, before a decision is taken whether or not to allow that plan or project to proceed. The application of appropriate assessment in Ireland is governed by the European Communities (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011).
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is listed as a 'public authority' under these Regulations. Therefore, this Department is required to carry out a screening for Appropriate Assessment, and the Appropriate Assessment itself, if deemed necessary, in relation to all such applications for afforestation. For further information on how this procedure is applied to afforestation applications, please see Section 20 of the Department's Forestry Standards Manual at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/grantandpremiumschemes/2015/ForestryStandManNov15050116.pdf.
