Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 1062: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Sluice River Marsh, Portmarnock, County Dublin will be designated a natural heritage area or as a nature conservation area as same has the support and recommendation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1147/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Sluice River Marsh in Portmarnock is one of a large number of proposed Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) that are under consideration for formal designation. I would like to see the designation of this and other proposed NHA's brought forward as soon as possible. In recent times, my Department has been focusing on meeting obligations under the Habitats and Birds Directives by designating an appropriate number and type of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's) and Special Protection Areas (SPA's). The State's progress in this area has been the subject of adverse findings by the European Court of Justice and my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service must address these designations as a first priority. Once the designation process for these European sites is complete, attention will be given to the formal designation of proposed Natural Heritage Areas, including the Sluice River Marsh.