Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1866: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position of the Government toward the proposed soil directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2096/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In general the Government welcomes the proposal of the EU Commission for a Directive establishing a framework for the protection of soil. We agree that it is appropriate to have an EU-wide initiative but, given the diverse nature and conditions of soils in Member States, policies need to be flexible and adaptable.

This proposal for a directive is part of a package adopted by the Commission in September 2006 arising from the 6th Environmental Action Programme. Although soil protection provisions exist in the body of Community legislation there is no specific legislation on soil protection. The package aims to fill this gap and has the objective of establishing a common strategy for the protection and sustainable use of soil based on the principles of integration of soil concerns into other policies, preservation of soil functions within the context of sustainable use, prevention of threats to soil and mitigation of their effects, as well as restoration of degraded soils to a level of functionality consistent at least with the current and approved future use.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 1867: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the Merchants Shipping Act 1992 was not included in the legislation listed under S.I. No. 378 of 2005 to be brought under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations in view of the fact that this legislation has recently licensed a commercial air boat on the River Blackwater, a cSAC under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations. [2132/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The issue referred to in the Question will be considered in the context of amendments to the Natural Habitats Regulations which I intend to make later this year.