Green alliance push to conserve habitats

An alliance of environmental and wildlife groups seeking more extensive protection of important Irish landscapes is to employ a conservation expert as the Government attempts to finalise its list of proposed special areas of conservation (SACs).

The European Commission has sought the submission of a list of areas proposed for protection under the EU Habitats Directive by October. It was highly critical of the initial list, which was found to be inadequate by conservation experts who work under the commission's Natura 2000 programme. The heritage service, Duchas, admitted the list needed to be extended, and also that sites should be designated for salmon and otter.

The alliance of An Taisce, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC), Birdwatch Ireland, the Irish Wildlife Trust and Coastwatch had presented a document to the meeting which listed 220 sites qualifying for protection but not on the Government list. It also cited insufficient protection of salmon and otter, which the commission then insisted must be protected under the directive.

The Heritage Council has agreed a grant to employ a researcher to inform their work on SACs. The appointment is being overseen by the IPCC, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 2. Tel (01) 872-2397; email: ipcc@indigo.ie