European Communities (Conservation of Wild Birds (Lough Mask Special Protection Area 004062)) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 84 of 2012).

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 purpose of the Regulations, as well as the Directive, is to protect birds from human activities. Schedule 4 lists activities that may cause disturbance or damage to birds protected under Schedule 3 and therefore require the consent of the Minister. Activities include: cutting, uprooting or otherwise removing plants; introduction, or re-introduction, of plants or animals not found in the area; changes in livestock keeping; drainage works; water abstraction, sinking of boreholes and wells; and planting of trees or multi-annual bioenergy crops. The bird species listed in that Schedule are protected to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution.