IRISH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

This order provides for the commencement of sections 1 to 5, Part 3 and Schedule 2 of the Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Act 2005 . Part 3, section 28, gives effect to the 1996 Protocol to the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 (LLMC 1976). The Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1996 gives effect in the State to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976. This section provides for amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1996 to give effect to the 1996 Protocol, which provides for higher levels of compensation in individual cases. Part 3, section 29, amends subsection (2) of section 8 of the Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) Act 1988 . Section 8 of the 1988 Act, as amended by section 5 of the Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) (Amendment) Act 1998 , lists the parties not liable for pollution damage caused by ships in the State. This is now being amended to include salvage operations undertaken by the Irish Coast Guard.

The effect of these Regulations is to restrict the fishing of cockles by Irish sea-fishing boats in the Waterford Estuary. These Regulations come into effect from 21st July 2007.

These Regulations amend the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 378 of 2006 ) (generally known as úthe Nitrates Regulationsù) by providing for increased penalties and for prosecution on indictment of offences. The 2006 Regulations provide statutory support for good agricultural practice to protect waters against pollution from agricultural sources and give further effect to the Nitrates Directive, which relates to the protection of waters against pollution from agricultural sources, and several other EU Directives relating to dangerous substances in water, waste management, protection of groundwater, public participation in policy development, and water policy (the Water Framework Directive).

The Order recognises part of the lands known as Ederglen Bog in the townlands Cruinnis, Na Doiríní [T: Na Monga], Idirghleann agus Ráth Muireagáin in the County of Mayo as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

The Order recognises part of the lands known as Oughterard District Bog in the townlands of Fionnán, Leitir agus Ogúil (T: Sliabh an Aonaigh) in the County of Galway as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

The Order recognises part of the lands known as Sraheens Bog in the townlands of An Doirín, Sáile agus Na Sraithíní [T: Dumha Éige] in the County of Mayo as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

The Order recognises part of the lands known as Crocknamurrin Mountain Bog in the townlands of An Cró Bán, Dúchró, Cróibh Iochtair, Cróibh Láir, Léim an Ghabhra, Learga na Saorthach, Mín an Chearrbhaigh, Abhainn tSeiscinne agus Srath an Bhealaigh in the County of Donegal as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

The Order recognises part of the lands known as Tristia Bog in the townlands of Dumha Locha, Na Fáilíní [T: Na Monga], Gleann Chaisil, Gaoth Sáile, An Mhoing Mhór, Sraith an tSeagail Theas, Troiste [T: Guala Mhór], Tulachán Bán agus Tulachán Dubh in the County of Mayo as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.