The European Commission has called on Ireland to protect its habitats and species by introducing an appropriate level of protection for areas designated under the Natura 2000 network.
In line with the Habitats Directive, Member States have had six years to designate protected areas under their national law – technically, turning them from ‘Sites of Community Interest’ (SCIs) into ‘Special Areas of Conservation’ (SACs).
Member States were also required to adopt the necessary measures for improving the status of habitats and species present on these sites.
However, following the expiration of the six-year period it has emerged that Ireland has formally designated only a minor proportion of its SCIs as SACs.
The Commission has said that this significant gap in the compliance with the key obligations under the Habitats Directive prevents the sound protection and management of the sites.
Furthermore, it maintains that it constitutes a major threat to an appropriate functioning and the coherence of the Natura 2000 network as a whole.
Therefore, the Commission has announced that it is sending a reasoned opinion, giving Ireland two months to reply. If Ireland fails to act, the Commission may take the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU.
The Commission said that this case is part of a horizontal enforcement action against several Member States.