European Communities (Conservation of Wild Birds (Killala Bay/Moy Estuary Special Protection Area 004036)) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 522 of 2011).

These Regulations designate an area as a Special Protection Area in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Conservation of Wild Birds. The Directive provides for protection of all species of birds from disturbance, capture and damage to nests and eggs (with the exception of those birds covered under Articles 7 for hunting and 9, where derogations are listed). Schedule 4 lists activities that require the consent of the Minister and may cause disturbance or damage to birds protected under Schedule 3. The bird species listed in that Schedule are protected to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution. Operations or activities listed at Schedule 4 to these Regulations, such as land reclamation and drainage works, harvesting marine invertebrate species in intertidal areas, planting of trees or multi-annual bioenergy crops and introduction of non-native species of plants and animals require a licence or permission from the Minister. Other listed activities require consent from the appropriate consent authority.