44 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to publish her proposals for new or extended special areas of conservation for the protection of salmon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6802/02]

46 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she proposes new and extended special areas of conservation for the protection of salmon; and her plans to publish the survey to define the boundaries of such new and extended special areas of conservation before 1 May 2002. [6870/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 46 together.

In evaluating sites for proposal as special areas of conservation, SACs, for salmon under the EU Habitats Directive, my Department engages in wide-ranging consultations, especially with the central and regional fisheries boards. It draws on the best information available under the following headings: sites of importance because of the size of the salmon population; sites important for spring salmon, which are genetically distinct and more threatened; good geographic range, that is, rivers from around Ireland; reasonable prospects regarding water quality and physical condition; and, where appropriate, significant presence in sites of other habitats or species listed under the habitats directive.

To date, my Department has listed salmon as a qualifying interest for 14 of the currently notified SACs – those in which the salmon interest is wholly or largely contained within the present site boundary. To encompass the salmon interest more fully, extensions to these sites will be made where necessary. In addition there are five other existing river SACs where extensions are envisaged to encompass the salmon interest more fully, particularly to include tributaries. Finally, it is intended to designate five additional rivers as SACs or extensions to existing sites. Each site will include the main channel and tributaries important for salmon. Substantial progress has been made in regard to surveying and digitised mapping of these sites.