Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received replies from the management of South Dublin County Council and Kildare County Council in respect of his request to carry out feasibility studies on possible additional lands to be included in the Liffey Valley special amenity order; the next stages to proceed with the proposal to extend the special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27852/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he was last in communication with South Dublin County Council regarding the Liffey Valley; the progress made in designating it a national park or a protected area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 498 and 503 together.

In September 2008, I requested South Dublin County Council to arrange for an evaluation of lands between Palmerstown and Lucan Bridge, the existing area of special amenity and the N4/0ld Lucan Road/Old Hill Road, in order to assess the suitability of some or all of these lands being designated a new area of special amenity, having regard to the provisions of section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. In February 2009, South Dublin County Council submitted a report on the matter. This has been considered within my Department, and it is intended to request the Council to give further consideration to the extent of lands that might be included in such an area.

Also in February 2009, my Department requested Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Kildare County Council to carry out evaluations of lands in the Liffey valley which fall within their functional areas, in order to assess the suitability of some or all of these lands being designated as part of an extended area of special amenity. Responses have been received from each of these planning authorities and are under consideration. Following consideration of the relevant information, I will decide whether to give a direction under section 202(2) of the Act regarding the making of a further special amenity area order or orders.