Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 830 relates to section 184 of the Bill regarding the preparation of a Natura impact report. The wording of section 184(2)(c) is intended to give effect to Article 6.3 of the habitats directive which provides: "Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives." The amendment proposed would introduce a reference to "zoning objectives of adjoining sites" when identifying the potential significant effects on a European site of a plan in combination with any other plan. This amendment is not necessary as this consideration is already implicit in the wording of the section. In addition, this consideration, if made explicit, would go beyond what is required under the habitats directive. I cannot accept this amendment.