Ireland's natural habitat under serious threat, says report

Ireland is worst among EU member states at protecting its natural heritage according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

In a report published yesterday the Fund claims Ireland will lose much of its natural habitat if significant steps are not taken.

The report entitled "Race to Protect Europe’s NaturalHeritage" examines each member state in terms of its implementation of the EU’s Habitats Directive.

Denmark was found to have made most progress in implementing the directive while Ireland had made the least.

An Taisce’s coordinator Ms Shirley Clerkin said: "It is regrettable that once again Ireland isshown to be not playing its part to protecthabitats and species."

Ms Clerkin said: "The government hasreceived warnings and recommendations from theEuropean commission, the Advocate General, theEuropean Court of Justice, the Irish non-governmental organisations and now from the WWF."

"It is time they heeded the advice and enteredinto the spirit of the Habitats Directive, whichhas its very core sustainable development andquality of life".

A number of Irish organisations involved in the report, including Coastwatch Ireland and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, called on the Government to "apply environmental assessment procedures onplans or projects that are likely to affect the integrity of sites" and"to speed up the processbeforethe European Commissionintroduce penalties on regional aid to Ireland".

Mr Peter Foss of the Irish Peatland ConservationCouncil said: "If theIrish Government fails to take the positiveopportunity that still exists to protect these habitats and their wildlife, latergenerations may not forgive us for squandering this precious part of ourshared heritage".

A spokesman for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms Síle de Valera, said today the minister had not yet seen the report.

He said: "However, the EU barometer reflecting the European Commission’s assessment of progress on implementation of the Habitats Directive based on proposals for designation of sites, places Ireland in the top half of Member States- 7th out of 15 ."

"The Minister is already implementing the Habitats Regulations which require assessment of projects likely to affect the integrity of sites."

"Management Plans are already being prepared for some 200 of the 362 sites proposed and public consultation has commenced on some of these plans, although it is not a requirement of the Directive to prepare such plans," he added.