Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposal to designate lands at the Liffey Valley as a natural heritage area; when the lands concerned were proposed; the steps taken in respect of these lands to protect habitats and species; if the lands are confined to lands covered by the special area amenity order or if other lands are included outside of the SAAO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33462/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Liffey Valley is one of a large number of sites throughout the country that have been proposed for designation as Natural Heritage Areas.

The area of the site is 165 hectares and it is located along the River Liffey, running from Leixlip in County Kildare to Chapelizod in Dublin. It is currently protected by its inclusion in the Local Authority Development Plans covering the area — in this case, the Local Authorities of Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin, and Kildare.

The lands were originally proposed as a Natural Heritage Area in 1995, and this was communicated to the relevant local authorities. The lands are currently protected by their inclusion as a proposed Natural Heritage Area in the Development Plans of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council and Kildare County Council.

I am arranging to have the area of the proposed Natural Heritage Area compared to that of the Special Area Amenity Order and will be in touch with the Deputy further in this regard.