Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the biospheres already have statutory protection but I understand the Deputy's concerns, particularly regarding the Ringsend waste treatment facility. The latter is operated by Irish Water, as the Deputy knows. The discharge into Dublin Bay is regulated by licence from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. Any matters related to the regulated discharge, therefore, should be directed to the agency.

The NPWS does, and will continue to, investigate breaches of EU regulations and the wildlife Acts and, therefore, there is statutory protection. The NPWS undertakes to visit Natura 2000 sites as required and within the resources available to it. It is important to note, however, that biosphere is not an environmental designation. The environmental protections afforded to biospheres are determined by their status as Natura sites. I mentioned that many of them are designated as SACs or SPAs in the first instance. They are internationally recognised for their natural resources and biodiversity and are therefore important but no specific additional planning burdens or conservation requirements are associated with biosphere status.

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