31 January 2007

Environment

Protection of Natural Flora and Fauna

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he will take to protect natural flora and fauna in view of the European Court of Justice finding C-183/05.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): 
This judgment of the European Court of Justice relates to the position obtaining in 2003, when a Reasoned Opinion was received by Ireland from the Commission. Since then, substantial progress has been made in addressing the matters to which the judgment relates.

The legal measures required on foot of the judgment were provided for in the Habitats (Amendment) Regulations 2005. Substantial progress has also been made on the development and implementation of action plans and programmes for the monitoring and protection of species on Annex IV of the Habitats Directive. My Department continues to consult with the European Commission on progress to ensure full compliance with the judgment.