Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the expected level of fines that Ireland faces for not complying with an obligation to provide a list of the State's most endangered species and natural habitats to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36614/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department had contact with the European Commission since Ireland was issued with a final written warning over its non-conformity with the habitats directive; the action his Department has taken to meet the directive requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36685/06]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department has failed to abide by a European Commission requirement to complete an overdue list of its most endangered species and natural habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36612/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department had contact with the European Commission since Ireland was issued with a final written warning over its non-conformity with the habitats directive; the action his Department has taken to meet the directive requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 102, 106 and 323 together.

On 18 October, the European Commission issued a Reasoned Opinion requiring Ireland to complete the task of publishing Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and transmit the final list of SACs to the Commission. It is accepted by both sides that while substantial progress has already been made in this regard, the process must urgently be brought to finality.

On 24 October my Department met with the European Commission to discuss Ireland's actions in response to the Reasoned Opinion. These will include measures to improve the efficiency and finality of the SAC appeals process, with a view to guaranteeing the definitive designation of SACs.

My Department will continue to work closely with the Commission to secure a satisfactory resolution of this case.