Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is proposing to designate new areas under HEA or special area of conservation designations; the areas to which they relate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35318/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I am unfamiliar with the acronym HEA in the context of land designations. I am assuming that the question refers to Natural Heritage Areas (NHA's) designated under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2001.

My Department's priority in recent years has been the designation of European sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive. These designations cover Ireland's internationally important habitats and species.

Four hundred and twenty-three candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs) have been transmitted to the European Commission this year. It is not currently envisaged that extensive areas of new land will be designated as cSACs in future, although the boundaries of existing cSACs will be kept under review. A small number of marine sites remain to be designated.

Following the ruling by the European Court of Justice this month in relation to Ireland's compliance with the Birds Directive, it is likely that some additional areas will be required to be designated as SPAs for certain species of birds. A programme of designation will be developed, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and the Commission, early in 2008.

Following completion of the designations of SACs and SPAs, my Department will begin the review of approximately 800 sites initially proposed for designation as Natural Heritage Areas, for areas of nature or species of national importance. These proposed sites are relatively small in area and are spread throughout the country. Any sites found to contain important natural heritage following that review will be designated accordingly.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the person who is responsible for the Keel na Gower River which meets the Finnehy River at the Finnehy Bridge in Kenmore, County Kerry. [35339/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I assume that the Question concerns whether this location lies within a nature conservation area and, if so, who has local responsibility for it.

The Finnehy River, west of Cromwell Bridge, and to the west of Kenmare, County Kerry is part of the Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation (Site code: 002158). The area to the east of Cromwell Bridge, where Finnehy Bridge is located, is not within a site designated for nature conservation.

Further information on this location may be obtained by contacting the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department via Freephone No. 1800 405000 or on the website www.npws.ie.