§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what ornithological or other scientific surveys were carried out on the area of scientific interest land at Lough Ross, Lisnakea, County Fermanagh, before the agricultural improvements recently approved by the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture went ahead, what steps are being taken to monitor and assess the impact of drainage and related works on breeding wetland birds and other aspects of nature conservation interest present on the site, and if he will make a statement on the destruction of the nest and eggs of a species of bird specially protected by the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands ( Northern Ireland) Order 1985, during the course of the agricultural scheme
§ Mr. Chris Patten[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1985, c. 476– 77]: No such surveys were carried out by conservation branch of the Department of the Einvironment (Northern Ireland) prior to the commencement of agricultural improvement previously notified to the Department of Agriculture (Northern Ireland) as it was apparent that the prime scientific interest of the site was not going to be damaged
No steps are being taken to monitor the site or a regular basis as there is no evidence to suggest that the works will have any impact on the intrinsic nature conservation significance of the site.
I am not aware of the destruction of nests or eggs of a species of bird specially protected by wildlife legislation.