408 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the development of Inch Strand, County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to discussions regarding it being developed as a golf course; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3608/11]

The sand dune system at Inch is possibly the best example of its kind in the country and has been designated as both a candidate Special Area of Conservation and a candidate Special Protection Area. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department met with the developer of this proposed golf course in July 2010 and explained that, in seeking development consent for development proposals for the site, the provisions of the Habitats Directive, including the need to carry out an appropriate assessment under article 6(3) of the Directive, must be complied with. No detailed plan for the development has yet been submitted to the planning authority or to the Department; at this stage, therefore, it is not possible to say what impact the proposed development would have on the integrity of the site.