Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

To return to Natura sites and EU directives, the explanatory note under Head 13 which relates to Heads 11 and 12 refers to "conditions to be attached to a licence; for reporting and monitoring; and for conditions where an abstraction is necessary in the national public interest but is affecting the achievement of the environmental objectives of the water body.". We are talking here about a conflict between an overriding public interest and requirements under EU to protect Natura sites. The note provides an example of circumstances where this could arise, namely where there is a need to provide for a public water supply or for electricity generation. In some cases an abstraction can be permitted if it is deemed to be of sufficient public interest even if it will have a negative impact on a Natura site. Is that correct?