Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a compulsory purchase order over-rides a special area of conservation, special protection area, EU Habitats and Bird Directives making them null and void; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33756/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the transfer of the ownership of a property, whether by compulsory purchase order or other means, would not alter its status as a Special Area of Conservation or as a Special Protection Area under the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a Statutory Instrument has been put in place for each of the 413 Irish sites contained in Commission decision of 7 December 2004 which designated each of these sites as sites of community importance and to give the timeframe during which these Statutory Instruments were put in place. [33766/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any further sites have been designated as sites of community importance since 2004; if so, the dates of these decisions, the location of the sites and the details of the Statutory Instruments implementing the designations. [33768/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 120 together.

Ireland's suite of Sites of Community Importance, as adopted by the European Commission, extends to 423 sites. Four sites were proposed for designation since 2004 and this occurred in June 2006. These marine sites, off the west coast, are listed below.

002327 Belgica Mound Province cSAC

002328 Hovland Mound Province cSAC

002329 South-West Porcupine Bank cSAC

002330 North-West Porcupine Bank cSAC

Following adoption of a Site of Community Importance by the Commission, Member States must proceed to complete the formal process designating the sites as Special Areas of Conservation. In Ireland, this will be done by making a statutory instrument for each site. This process is due to commence shortly and to be completed by the end of next year. It does not affect the legal protection afforded to the sites.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will give the timeframe during which the designation of Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas in Ireland were finalised. [33767/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The designation of Ireland's suite of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) is almost complete. Some 152 SPAs, of an eventual network of 153 sites, have already been classified in accordance with the terms of the Birds Directive, as clarified by the European Court of Justice in its judgment against Ireland in case 418/04. The remaining site will be classified in the coming weeks. The designation process for our suite of SPAs will be completed with the making of a Statutory Instrument for each site and I expect this task to be completed next year.

In addition, between 2003 and 2005, some 155 sites throughout the country were designated by Statutory Instrument as Natural Heritage Areas. When the designation of our suite of SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation is complete, my Department will begin a review of previously proposed Natural Heritage Areas to consider their designation, as appropriate, under the Wildlife Acts.