COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 09, 2019

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

Does SDCC currently have any programmes for the protection or conservation of any endangered or rare species of flora or fauna?

REPLY:

 There are various ways of protecting species and their habitats through the planning system. Information on existing habitats and species is a requirement for large planning applications through the Environmental Impact Assessment process. It is now mandatory for developers to upload EIAs to a national portal as part of the planning application process.  

Furthermore, all planning applications are appropriately assessed under the Habitats Directive to ensure no detrimental impact to the objectives set out for designated Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation.

In addition to statutory requirements, ecological assessments e.g. surveys for bats or other protected species, may be provided or sought for applications where there is concern over specific flora and/or flora.

Occasional ecological studies and surveys are also commissioned by the Council's Heritage Officer under the County Heritage Plan or as part of co-operative projects with other Council Departments or local community groups.  Whenever requested, the Heritage Officer advises on known records of habitats and species.

Outside the planning process, there are many environmental protection procedures undertaken by the Council, for instance through waste management.

The forthcoming County Biodiversity Plan which is currently being drafted, will include a focus on the gathering of ecological data as part of a wider objective relating to a Green Infrastructure Strategy for the County.  The objective of this Green Infrastructure Strategy is to identify, develop and sustain green corridors throughout the County that will serve to protect interconnectivity for wildlife and habitats.  This action will also serve to address objectives in the current County Development Plan relating to Green Infrastructure.