KILDARE GENERAL, 22 June 2001: by Bill Trapman. Kildare North TD Emmet Stagg has demanded that minister for arts, heritage, gaeltacht and the islands Sile de Valera TD reverse her decision to exclude the River Liffey and its tributaries from the Special Areas of Conservation for Salmon list which she is about to announce.
This follows an answer to a Dail Question placed by Deputy Stagg, in which the minister said the Liffey 'did not meet the standards' to be included in the list, which is being published under an EU directive on habitats.
Deputy Stagg said the Liffey is only river flowing through a capital city in Europe that has a wild salmon stock, and inclusion would provide an opportunity to reverse the damage done to stocks and 'ensure a bright future' for the Liffey Salmon.
"It is unbelievable and unacceptable that the minister has decided to exclude the Liffey systen from this protection," he said, adding she appears to be prepared to 'let the Liffey die'.
©2001/knn