Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Habitats and Birds Directives, transposed in Ireland via the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011, require Ireland to identify a network of Natura 2000 sites (European sites) where important or endangered species and habitats are present to a degree that is significant at a European level.

The selection of these European sites is done on a scientific and ornithological basis, in accordance with the requirements of the Directives. The scope for taking information other than scientific and ornithological information into account in the selection of Natura sites is extremely limited, in contrast to other types of national designations, which may allow for a more participatory role for stakeholders, and a wider range of factors and views to be taken into account.

The Natura sites referred to are currently going through the steps in the statutory process and are subject to the prescribed appeals and objections procedures governing the designation of Natura sites. Any stakeholder or other person with a legal interest in the area proposed for designation who wishes to lodge an objection or observation, may do so within the statutory timeframes as set out in the Regulations and the published notifications. In accordance with the requirements of the Directives and the Regulations above, only objections based on scientific criteria pursuant to the Birds and Habitats Directives may be considered.

Details of the procedures and timeframes for lodging objections or observations are included in all public notifications and on the NPWS website. All objections and observations are carefully and fully considered prior to the final, formal designation of the site by Statutory Instrument.

Detailed information about protected sites is available on the NPWS website at www.npws.ie/protected-sites.