COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2026

QUESTION NO. 30

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report into protected species in SDCC and what efforts SDCC make to protect them?

REPLY:

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), operating within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the main state body responsible for the protection, conservation and management of Irelands protected wildlife species and habitats. The overarching functions of the NPWS include maintaining the checklist of protected and threatened species, monitoring and reporting on the status of protected species under the EU habitats directive and overseeing protection under the Wildlife Acts, Flora protection order and the Bird and Habitats Directive.

The NPWS publish the authoritative checklist of protected and threatened species – “checklist of protected and threatened species in Ireland” while The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) provide a public mapping portal where protected species can be filtered by County. (https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie)

South Dublin County has a rich and varied natural heritage that includes a number of unique habitats, areas of natural interest and species that are designated for conservation under national and European legislation.

Protected sites located within the County under European legislation include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive, known collectively as Natura 2000 sites. The Wildlife Acts underpin nature conservation and biodiversity in Ireland and provide for Natural Heritage Areas and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). These areas host a rich variety of rare, protected and vulnerable habitats and species and areas of geological interest. Wildlife networks and areas located outside of protected sites can also host a diverse and rich variety of rare, protected and vulnerable habitats and species.

The Council protects species and habitats through its Development Plan policies and objectives particular relating to designated Natura 2000 sites, proposed Natural Heritage Areas, and locally important biodiversity sites, as well as through green infrastructure, biodiversity and landscape policies.

The safeguarding of designated and protected species is an integral part of the planning, environmental and operational functions of SDCC, and is carried out in accordance with national and EU legislation, including the Planning and Development Act 2000 & 2024 (as amended), the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, and associated Regulations. Protected species within the County include species listed under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the Wildlife Acts, such as certain mammals, birds, bats and plant species. 

In terms of planning and development management, we require appropriate ecological assessment, including screening for Appropriate Assessment and, where necessary, Natura Impact Statements, ecological reports and species-specific surveys, to be submitted in support of development proposals. Planning decisions are made having regard to these assessments, and conditions are imposed where required to protect habitats and species, including requirements for mitigation, monitoring and timing of works.

Outside the planning process, we undertake and support a range of biodiversity and conservation measures, including habitat management on Council-owned lands, the implementation of Biodiversity Action Plans, collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and public awareness and community biodiversity initiatives. Furthermore, we are actively engaged in the protection and management of the Light-bellied Brent Goose through participation in the All-Dublin Light-bellied Brent Geese Strategy Group, working alongside the other Dublin local authorities, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the OPW. The Light-bellied Brent Goose is a protected species under the EU Birds Directive and the Irish Wildlife Acts,

In summary, while we do not maintain the single definitive list of all protected species within the County, protection is delivered through a combination of statutory planning controls, environmental assessment, policy objectives, land management practices and inter-agency cooperation, all aimed at safeguarding biodiversity, protected and threatened species in South Dublin County.