Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 June 2024
66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a small area on the boundary of a special protection area in County Kerry (details supplied) will be removed given its insignificance due to its size and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26489/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe land referred to in the Question was surveyed and included within the boundary of the Dingle Peninsula Special Protection Area (SPA) proposed for designation in 2006. This SPA is designated for the protection of bird species Fulmar, Peregrine and Chough. The deadline for lodging an appeal against the inclusion of land within the Dingle Peninsula SPA has long passed.
The de-designation of any part of a Natura 2000 site is not a national policy decision in isolation and would require ratification by DG Environment of the European Commission. Any such case would be extremely rare and could only be considered on the grounds that a scientific error was made at the time the site was publicly notified, (in this case 2006)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is not aware of any compelling scientific case to remove any land from the SPA.
