COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2020

QUESTION NO.13

QUESTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

To ask the Chief Executive how the Council shows and measures its commitment to preserving and protecting all Annex 1 habitats and protected species both within and outside existing SAC and Natura 2000 sites within the County.

REPLY:

With the introduction of the Birds Directive in 1979 and the Habitats Directive in 1992 came the obligation to establish the Natura 2000 network of sites of highest biodiversity importance for rare and threatened habitats and species across the EU. In Ireland, the Natura 2000 network of European sites comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SACs, including candidate SACs), and Special Protection Areas (SPAs, including proposed SPAs). SACs are selected for the conservation of Annex I habitats (including priority types which are in danger of disappearance) and Annex II species (other than birds). SPAs are selected for the conservation of Annex I birds and other regularly occurring migratory birds and their habitats. The annexed habitats and species for which each site is selected correspond to the qualifying interests of the sites; from these the conservation objectives of the site are derived.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the designation of conservation sites in Ireland. The NPWS works with landowners and users, and national and local authorities, trying to achieve the best balance possible between land-use on the one hand, and requirements for conserving nature in these selected areas, on the other.

In relation to Natura 2000 sites; South Dublin County Council is a Competent Authority;  Competent Authorities in Ireland are the national, regional or local authorities that are charged with or responsible for consenting, authorising, adopting or deciding to proceed with a plan or project. A broad range of authorities is involved, and it is not uncommon for more than one authority to be the competent authority for aspects of an individual project. From a planning and land use perspective, the competent authorities are considered to be the regional authorities, the planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála.

The Council  identifies the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and other Natura 2000 sites within the county in the County Development Plan Maps. Appropriate zonings in these areas contribute to their protection.

The Council’s development plan includes appropriate policies and objectives for the conservation and protection of European sites and to ensure that their integrity will not be adversely affected by development. The development plan establishes the sustainable planning policies and objectives for the area and the development management process implements these policies and objectives over the time period of the plan. The County Development Plan indicates the location of the Natura 2000 sites and the sites’ conservation objective(s) will be available from the NPWS.

In relation to all sites, both within and outside existing SACs and Natura 2000 sites; the environmental implications of any development likely to have an impact on any SAC have to be assessed irrespective of the location of the development.

It is the competent authority’s responsibility to obtain (normally from the proponent of a plan or project) the information to enable it to screen a plan or project for Appropriate Assessment and, if required, obtain from the proponent of the plan or project the Natura Impact Statement. If a plan or project is being proposed by a competent authority itself, the competent authority will be responsible for the production of the Natura Impact Statement. Where local authority development requires a NIS the development is assessed by An Bord Pleanala. Ecological surveys and Environmental Impact Assessment Screening are also carried out as required and in some cases projects may require a full Environmental Impact Statement. Public participation in the planning process is very much welcomed and complements the councils assessment of development sites with local knowledge. The council seeks to facilitate public participation in the development management process as much as possible. The Council assesses all information submitted and requested during the planning processes and imposes conditions as required by the planning process to protect and preserve sites in line with the policies of the County Development Plan, the Habitats Directive and other relevant legislation.