§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations there have been between Northern Ireland Government Departments and the owner of the land concerned, about drainage works at Ross Lough, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh; and if he will now take steps to protect the wildlife at this site.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThere have been recent consultations about these works between the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the landowner concerned. It has been agreed that there is no reason for the works in question to stop.
Ross Lough was declared an area of scientific interest under the Amenity Lands Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 and this declaration remains valid under the terms of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, which came into operation on 14 April 1985. All Areas of Scientific Interest are being reevaluated with a view to formal re-declaration as areas of special scientific interest under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 which came into operation on 15 April 1985 also provides protection for wildlife.