Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)EU requires Member States to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect a variety of habitats and species. This Directive is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011).

The designation of SAC sites under the Directive is a formal, legal process, with a number of steps, which are set out in full in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.

Site boundaries are determined on scientific grounds, based on the protected habitats and species for which the site is to be designated.

As part of this process, advertisements are published in local media and notices are displayed in local Government offices, Garda stations and public libraries. Owners and occupiers are given an opportunity to lodge objections on the proposed site boundaries, on scientific grounds. A three-month period is allowed for the lodging of any appeals or objections before the site is formally designated.

The site mentioned was first publicly notified as a candidate Special Area of Conservation in March 1997. Notices were placed in the Derry Journal, The Herald, and the Tirconnail between 14-20 March, 1997.

The notice dated May 2023 referred to was to advise of the completion of the final formal steps including the publication of the European Union Habitats (North Inishowen Coast Special Area of Conservation 002012) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 182 of 2023).

This does not place any new or additional conditions on landowners or licence holders other than those that have applied since the site was publicly notified as a candidate SAC in 1997.