David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to his proposal to designate the Blackwater Estuary in County Cork as a special protection area, (details supplied) the impact, if any, this proposed designation would have on the use of the river by those involved in water based activities such as power-boating, sailing, water-skiing, fishing and other such activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department is currently engaged in a programme of classification of Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive. This exercise includes the re-classification of many existing SPA sites, including Blackwater Estuary which was first designated some sixteen years ago. A judgment delivered by the European Court of Justice against Ireland in December 2007 found that Ireland's classification of its SPAs had been inadequate in some respects and this has necessitated the re-classification of many of the older sites.

The proposal to update the designation of Blackwater Estuary was advertised on 4 August, 2010. Appeals by affected landowners or land users may be made up to 3 November, 2010. The re-designation process will be concluded, following consideration of any appeals submitted, with the making of a new Statutory Instruments for the site. My Department does not have concerns about current levels of recreational activities at this site.