Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 931: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proportion of land in Connemara that has been proposed to be designated as special areas of conservation; the proportion of land nationally that has been proposed to be designated as SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9600/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Habitats Directive requires Member States to propose areas for designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), in order to conserve important flora and fauna and their habitats. The sites are selected using scientific criteria set out in the Directive.

The SACs formally proposed for Ireland cover approximately 10% of the country. While separate figures are not available for Connemara, approximately 21% of County Galway is proposed for inclusion in Special Areas of Conservation. The extent of designations in the county reflects its higher than average proportion of habitats of high conservation value.