§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for Northern Ireland those sites which have been identified as meeting the criteria for designation under the EEC birds directive as special protection areas and under the Ramsar convention; when these sites will be designated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 11 May 1987, c. 27]: No sites have been identified as meeting the criteria for designation under the EC wild birds directive as special protection areas; survey and assessment of sites likely to meet the criteria is ongoing in association with an extensive survey of sites of scientific interest being undertaken by the Department.
Under the Ramsar convention, parts of Lough Foyle and Strangford Lough meet the required criteria; designation will be considered following their designation as areas of special scientific interest. Lough Neagh and Lough Beg are already listed as Ramsar sites.