Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 50: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps being taken to implement the Birds and Habitats Directive and to comply with the judgement of the European Court of Justice in Case C-418/04 and in particular to ensure that habitats and species of birds covered by the directives are protected appropriately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8034/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 13 December 2007, the European Court of Justice passed Judgment in case C 418/04, Commission v Ireland which identified a number of shortcomings in Ireland's transposition and implementation, up to 2004, of the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC and its implementation of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.

My Department met with Commission officials recently to discuss the substantive steps already taken by Ireland in anticipation of the ruling, including changes to the relevant regulations in 2005 and a substantial number of designations or re-designations of large areas as Special Protection Areas for birds.

The additional measures that will now need to be taken were also discussed, including revisions to the regulations implementing the Directives, further designations for specific species and an increased emphasis on assessment of proposals for their potential impacts on areas important for birds. My Department will continue actively to engage with the Commission in this regard over the coming months.