A Mayo landowner who contested the designation of some of her land as a Special Area of Conservation is awaiting the outcome of her appeal, following two hearings on the issue.
Ms Marie Gibbons, who lives on the shores of Lough Mask, had her original appeal adjourned two weeks ago. The new hearing took place in Athlone last week.
SACs, which were introduced under the EU Habitats Directive 1997, are designated by Duchas. But SAC Alliance, which claims to represent more than 7,000 farmers and small landowners, has appealed against many such designations, mainly in the west.
The SAC appeals advisory board is chaired by the former ombudsman, Mr Michael Mills. Representatives from the farming organisations (IFA/ICMSA), NGOs and an independent expert also sit on the board.
Its role is to make recommendations to Ms de Valera, Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, in cases where landowners object to the inclusion (or exclusion) of their land in proposed SACs, or where a landowner objects to restrictions imposed by any such proposed legislation.
"The Minister makes the final decision. It is completely independent and non-statutory," according to Mr Paddy White, secretary of the SAC appeals advisory board.