Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the drilling of bore holes in the special area of conservation at Glengad, County Mayo by contractors working for Shell, without permission and in breach of environmental legislation. [29626/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the continuing and regular attempts by contractors employed by Shell to drill bore holes and carry out other work in the special areas of conservation which surround the Shell site at Bellanaboy Bridge in County Mayo on all sides; and his further views on whether this work is degrading to the fragile and sensitive environments and habitats surrounding the site of the proposed Shell refinery and should be stopped immediately. [29627/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.

My Department was informed on 24 October 2007 by a contractor working for Shell, that two boreholes had been drilled in the area of Glengad, Co. Mayo, within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Any such works in a SAC require the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. In this case, no such consent was sought or given.

The actions of the Shell contractors in carrying out the works without authorisation are a matter of serious concern to me and this has been made clear to Shell. Such works in protected habitats, without the appropriate consent will not be tolerated and accordingly, I have decided to issue a Ministerial Direction under Article 19 of the Regulations requiring Shell to restore the site according to the specifications of my Department.