Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on a matter which has arisen in my area. I refer to the need for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to clarify the position on lands designated as special areas of conservation but not registered as such by the Land Registry.

Following the purchase and reclamation of such lands, Dúchas is now insisting that they be returned to their original state. I believe there is a loophole in the law in this regard. The individual concerned bought the lands in good faith and proceeded to carry out certain works. He received a phone call from an official of Dúchas at a stage when half the work had been completed. I must say the official was very courteous in his approach. He requested a meeting with the land owner and an on-site visit took place.

The official proceeded to read the regulations to the farmer, for whom that was a very frightening experience. Having bought the land in good faith, he was shocked to hear from the Dúchas official that he would have to return it to its original state, despite having spent some £15,000 on reclamation works. The legal loophole which gave rise to this situation should be closed off. If lands are designated as special areas of conservation or otherwise, that should be registered on the title deeds or, at least, some notice of that fact should be taken in Land Registry.