Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if non-designated commonage is an EU protected habitat; if so, the decision-making process by which the status of this type of commonage changed from one of extensive farmland to one of EU protected habitat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27766/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The designation of lands as either Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Areas (SPA) is the responsibility of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) under the Heritage Division of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.  Any changes in designation of such lands or boundary amendments are a matter for NPWS.

Notwithstanding this all lands outside of SAC/SPA are subject to the basic requirements in terms of land management as set out in the recently published "Explanatory Handbook for Cross Compliance Requirements" and the "Guide to Land Eligiblity" published by my Department last year.