asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the plans he has in respect of support programmes for national parks.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Parks.
1.
asked the Minister for Finance his policy on long range objectives to guide the national park system.
3.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to commemorate the establishment of any of Ireland's national parks; and if he considers that new national parks should be established.
With your permission, a Cheann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
I have, at present, no plans to commemorate the establishment of any of Ireland's national parks. I feel that such a proposal would be premature until a more extensive national park system has been developed.
That there is a need for the creation of further national parks I readily accept. The valuable contribution which such parks can make to the quality of life, science, education and tourism is now universally acknowledged and Governments everywhere are under pressure to set aside for conservation areas of outstanding natural and cultural values.
The National Parks and Monuments Branch of my Office has set itself the objective of identifying and taking into its care on behalf of the nation representative areas of great natural beauty and/or scientific values; sites, buildings and structures of national importance because of their historic, archaeological, architectural or cultural significance and areas which offer exceptional opportunities for outdoor recreation for all our people.
In managing such properties it will be the branch's policy to make use of support programmes to develop greater public awareness of the special inspirational, educative and recreational benefits to be derived from visiting them while at the same time maintaining them unimpaired as far as possible for future generations.