European Communities (Conservation of Wild Birds (Lough Ree Special Protection Area 004064)) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 456 of 2012).

These Regulations designate an area consisting of land and waters 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 is to ensure protection from disturbance, capture and damage to nests and eggs under Article 5 of the Directive for all species of birds, not just the birds listed on Schedule 3 (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. Activities that require consent of the Minister include: land reclamation; introduction, or re-introduction, of plants or animals not found in the area; cutting, uprooting or otherwise removing plants; water abstraction, sinking of boreholes and wells; drainage works; and planting of trees or multi-annual bioenergy crops. Operations or activities other than those listed at Schedule 4, such as effluent discharge, construction work, aquaculture, fishing or forestry require a licence or permission from the appropriate consent authority.