Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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339. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline his views on the National Parks and Wildlife Service statements to the Office of Public Works relating to recent storm damage (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16776/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) and local authorities are the principal response agencies with regard to the management of flooding episodes. Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. I am advised that my Department is not holding up the case in question.

Many of the rivers and low-lying lands affected by the flooding earlier this year are within or near sites that have been designated as SACs or SPAs. These sites fall within the ambit of the European Birds and Habitats Directives, compliance with which is a matter for all public authorities, agencies and landowners. A key protection mechanism is the requirement to consider the possible implications of any plan or project on SACs and SPAs before any decision is made to allow that plan or project to proceed.