Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will extend the date for landowners who wish to object to the proposed designations of special protection areas for the protection of hen harriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32972/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Special Protection Areas for hen harriers are proposed for designation in accordance with Article 4 of the European Council Directive on the conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.

Under these Regulations a landowner may seek review of a proposed designation of land as a Special Protection Area by making an objection in writing, based on scientific grounds, to my Department along with a clear map of the land in question. The Regulations provide that such objections must be made within a three-month period of the site being notified. It is necessary in the context of EU infringement proceedings against Ireland under the Directive strictly to adhere to this three-month limit.