Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

285 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she sanctioned the cordoning off of six to seven hectares of intertidal mudflat at the Boyne special preservation area in front of Drogheda grammar school since early September 1999 resulting in the denial of feeding grounds for birds in winter; the environment impact assessment or scientific data upon which this decision was based; and the action, if any, she is taking to rectify the situation. [4009/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

As this area is intertidal, a decision on whether works could be carried out would be a matter for decision by my colleague, the Minister for Marine and Natural Resources, by way of licence from that Department. Officials of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, have advised me that they are not aware of a significant loss of feeding grounds in this area for birds in winter. I do not have any proposals, therefore, to take action to rectify the situation.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

286 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the role, if any, she has had in the dumping of tonnes of anaerobic mud, previously saltmarsh, mudflat, mixed vegetation and animals, covering the special preservation area at the north shore of Baltray, Drogheda; and the action, if any, she will take to rectify the situation. [4010/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

The works in the area referred to by the Deputy are the subject of a current High Court action. It is expected that judgment will be delivered on 22 February 2000. It would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to comment.