Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 910: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs incurred by his Department to run the recent advertising campaign regarding special areas of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28769/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The most recent proposed designation undertaken by my Department was that of three Special Protection Areas (SPA) for birds in the Dublin Bay Area — the South Dublin Bay and River Tolka Estuary, North Bull Island and the Howth Head Coast.

In order to ensure that the maximum number of people are notified of the proposed designation of an area as an SPA, my Department advertises the relevant proposal in the local press and on local radio. I am required under Section 4(b)(ii) of the Habitats Regulations, 1997 to ensure that those persons who have not been located after "reasonable enquiry" are notified by means of a local newspaper advertisement and announcement on local radio.

In this instance, the cost of the newspaper advertising was €11,160 for one day. The radio ads were run over a two week period and cost €50,316.00.