In line with the Habitats Directive, member states have had six years to designate protected areas under their national law - turning them from "Sites of Community Interest" (SCIs) into "Special Areas of Conservation" (SACs), and to adopt the required measures for improving the status of habitats and species present on these sites.

According to a statement from the EU Commission, Ireland has formally designated only a minor proportion of its SCIs as SACs following the expiration of the six-year period.

The statement said that Ireland has not yet established the required conservation objectives and conservation measures for all of the remaining sites.

"This significant gap in the compliance with the key obligations under the Habitats Directive prevents the sound protection and management of the sites and constitutes a major threat to an appropriate functioning and the coherence of the Natura 2000 network as a whole," the statement read.

"Therefore, the Commission is sending a reasoned opinion, giving Ireland two months to reply."

The statement added that "if Ireland fails to act, the Commission may take the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU."

Natura 2000

Stretching over 18% of the EU’s land area and almost 6% of its marine territory, Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. According to the EU Commission, it offers a haven to Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.

Comment

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with responsibility for SACs, has commented on the EU Commission's statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, saying "considerable progress has been made in this complex area, for the first time, during the lifetime of this Government, and work continues apace.

"The Department is studying the communication from the EU Commission, and will respond comprehensively. Ireland is one of a number of other Member States to have a received similar communications today."

Land designation causing problems for farmers

Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) recently launched a poster campaign telling the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Birdwatch Ireland to keep off farmers' land until outstanding issues in relation to land designation are addressed.

IFA national chair Jer Bergin said the imposition of environmental designations on farmers’ land has resulted in significant restrictions on farming activities and other developments.

When designations were first imposed, commitments were given that compensation would be paid where farmers suffered losses,” Bergin said.

“However, in recent years, these commitments have not been honoured,” he concluded.

Ireland may be brought to EU Court of Justice over failed SAC designations

Following the expiration of a six-year period, Ireland has failed to designate all of its SCIs as SACs, meaning the EU Commission could take Ireland to the EU Court of Justice.