Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 732: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date an appeal was lodged by Dublin Port against an order for the introduction of a special protection order on part of Dublin Bay; the action he will take to deal with this appeal; the system for conducting the hearing and obtaining input from interested parties; the time frame within which appeals must be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28906/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My proposal to designate South Dublin Bay and Tolka Estuary Special Protection Area was advertised on 28 May 2008. An appeal from Dublin Port Company concerning the inclusion of part of the site within the SPA was received on 25 August 2008. My Department met representatives of the Dublin Port Company on 13 January 2009 to discuss its appeal. Based on information provided by Dublin Port Company and the scientific advice of my Department, on 4 March 2009 I informed the Company that it was not my intention to exclude the area in question from the SPA. The Company then availed of the opportunity to have the matter considered by the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board. The board considered this appeal on 2 July 2009 and has submitted its recommendations to me in recent days. I expect to be in a position shortly to inform the Company of my decision in this matter.