Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I raise the issue of the need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to clarify if the Department is planning to introduce new areas of special protection similar to the National Trust in Britain, and if Lough Key Forest Park or areas adjacent to it are included in any such proposals.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service sees such areas as integral to our national heritage. They are part of our identity and provide resources of social, educational, recreational and aesthetic value — the concept is a good one. I am concerned, however, that these areas may be used to block development in our national parks. We enjoy such areas but we need development within them. I look forward to hearing the Department's reply.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Feighan for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government oversees the designation of three main types of conservation areas throughout the country. First, there are natural heritage areas which are designated under the provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. To date, 148 NHAs, comprising raised bog and blanket bog habitats, have been statutorily designated. The Act provides for the imposition of restrictions on the carrying out of works, usually referred to as notifiable actions, which could destroy or significantly damage a natural heritage area, and which are specified in the order designating the site. Where such works are not being carried out with the benefit of planning permission, landowners and users are obliged to give notice in writing to the Department of their intention to carry out such works. The detailed provisions governing granting or refusal of consent in such cases are set out in section 19 of the Act.

There are over 800 proposed natural heritage areas around the country which have not yet reached statutory designation. Four sites in the Lough Key area are among the numerous sites publicly advertised from 1994 onwards on a non-statutory basis as proposed NHAs. These four sites are Drum Bridge, Drumman's Island, Hog's Island and Tawnytaskin Wood and they are part of an ongoing review intended to identify sites that can be progressed to statutory designation.

In addition to NHAs, in common with other EU member states, Ireland has an obligation to complete the designation of special areas of conservation for certain habitats and species deemed important on a European as well as national level. Following on this obligation, Ireland has proposed 420 candidate SACs. Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora provides the basis for the selection and designation of SACs and this is delivered via the habitats regulations 1997-2005 in Ireland.

Third, there are special protection areas under EU Directive 79/409/EEC, which requires the designation of SPAs for listed rare and vulnerable species of birds, regularly occurring migratory birds and wetlands. To date, 128 SPAs are protected under ministerial orders with a further 17 sites publicly advertised. Approximately 25 of these SPAs are also SACs.

There are no SACs or SPAs in the vicinity of Lough Key. Subject to no further scientific grounds being established, there are no proposals to designate any other sites in the Lough Key area beyond the four proposed NHAs listed above. However, this may change in the future if relevant scientific grounds are established. The Department does not expect to publish proposals for the designation of NHAs in 2006.

Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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What are the relevant scientific grounds that may change in the future?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I will ask the Minister to reply to the Senator with that information.