Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which various aspects of the Habitats Directive will be re-examined, with a view to ensuring that it is not unfairly, and unnecessarily, impacting on landowners, who depend on agriculture for their living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10723/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that it is not within the competence of Member States to re-examine legislation enacted by the EU. However, the European Commission has recently commenced a “Fitness Check” of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. It is my understanding that the Commission will launch a 12-week public internet consultation in April to assist in its examination of the Directives.