Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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145. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide a map of the special areas of conservation in County Tipperary; the restrictions on land designated as such and the compensation available to landowners whose land is designated as such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13857/16]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the restrictions on agricultural land in County Tipperary, other than restrictions under special areas of conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13858/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation. My Department works with farmers, other landowners and users, and national and local authorities, trying to achieve the best balance possible between farming and land-use on the one hand, and requirements for conserving nature in these selected areas, on the other.

There are 37 areas in County Tipperary selected for designation as special areas of conservation, special protection areas or natural heritage areas, as set out in the following table:

Areas selected for designation can overlap and many cross county boundaries. Further information on all these sites is available on the website www.npws.ie/protectedsitesand the boundaries of each site can be viewed on the website also.

However, if the Deputy wishes, I can arrange for a site pack for each site (or any specific sites identified) to be sent to him. These site packs include a map of each site, the particular requirements for each site and details on compensation provisions.

In order to protect the ecology of such sites, certain activities within protected sites may only be undertaken with my prior consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, or with the consent of another appropriate public authority. There is no blanket prohibition on undertaking these activities but carrying out any such activity without obtaining prior consent is an offence. The activities can vary from site to site as they relate to the particular species or habitat for which the site has been selected.

However, there is no requirement to obtain my consent as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if:

(a) the activity is licensed by or subject to the permission of another public authority; or

(b) the activity is specified as permitted in a farm or land management plan (subject to compliance with any conditions set out therein).

In practice, anyone wishing to carry out any of the activities listed should contact my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service prior to carrying out such work to establish what requirements may apply.