The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has issued a direction regarding activities requiring prior ministerial approval within the site of the proposed special protection area (SPA) for seabirds in the North-West Irish Sea.
As reported earlier this year on Afloat.ie, the proposed new SPA will cover over 230,000 hectares extending out from Dublin Bay to as far north as Dunany Point in Co Louth, and will increase Ireland’s percentage of marine waters protected under the EU Birds and Habitats directive to over nine per cent.
The list of Activities Requiring Consent relating to the SPA includes the following:
- Reclamation, including infilling.
- Blasting, drilling, dredging or otherwise removing or disturbing fossils, rock, minerals, mud, sand, gravel or other sediment.
- Introduction, or re-introduction, of plants or animals not found in the area. (Consent is not required for the planting of crops on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land.)
- Undertaking scientific research involving the collection and removal of biological material.
- Any activity intended to disturb birds, including by mechanical, air, gas, wind-powered or audible means.
- Developing or consenting to the development or operation of commercial recreational/visitor facilities or organised recreational activities.
- Undertaking active acoustic surveys in the marine environment.
Observations in relation to the classification of the site may be submitted by interested parties and must be supported by scientifically based ornithological criteria.
Any objections to the classification of the site as a SPA or the Ministerial Direction may be lodged with the National Parks and Wildlife service.
The closing date for receipt of any observations or objections is 19 February 2024 and further details are included in Marine Notice No 80 of 2023, attache below.
