2025 Derogation Applications received & issued under Regulation 54 of the Habitats Directive

This data set contains a list of derogation applications received and/or issued under Regulation 54 and 54A of the European Habitats Directive. The EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021 provide strict protection for all of the Irish species (both animal and plant) listed on Annex IV of the EU’s Habitats Directive. These species are: Bats, Otters, Kerry Slugs, Marine Mammals (Dolphins, Whales, Porpoises, and Marine Turtles), Killarney Fern, Slender Naiad & Marsh Saxifrage. It does this by prohibiting certain activities which could impact on the conservation status of those species. Those activities may only be permitted by way of a derogation. It should be noted that the Minister can only issue such derogations in very limited circumstances and where there is no satisfactory alternative. . Derogations are issued by the Wildlife Licensing Unit of the NPWS.