Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Rath Lugh is a recognised national monument and protected structure; the progress being made in his commitment to ensure that the remaining natural heritage areas will be designated on a phased basis over the coming years and if this forms a part of his policy; the protection proposed NHA's have under current Irish law; and the measures he will take to ensure their monitoring and protection during this extended designation process. [17129/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The national monument at Rath Lugh, in the townland of Lismullin, County. Meath, is protected by a Preservation Order made under the National Monuments Acts in March 2008. The effect of the preservation order is that it is unlawful for any person to demolish or remove wholly or in part or to disfigure, deface, alter or in any manner injure or interfere with the national monument without the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It is also unlawful for any person to excavate, dig, plough or otherwise disturb the ground within, around or in proximity to the national monument without the Minister's consent.

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 (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). 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.

Following completion of the designations of SACs and SPAs, my Department will consider the designation of sites proposed as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). These proposed sites are relatively small in area and are spread throughout the country.

Many proposed NHAs have already been subsumed within the boundaries of SACs and SPAs and are afforded protection under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations. Most are also afforded some measure of protection through the planning system arising from their inclusion in Local Authority County Development Plans as Nature Conservation Sites.