asked the Minister for Finance if the Wildlife Section of his Department have any interest in the division of the commonage at Thallabaun, Louisburgh, County Mayo; the proposals, if any, he has for the commonage; whether his Department is interested in purchasing the ground concerned; if his Department will object to the division of the commonage by the Land Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Mayo Commonage.
34.
The commonage at Thallabaun, Louisburgh, County Mayo, is an area of high scientific importance being a sand dune system consisting of a flat level plain from which sand binding species of vegetation are absent. The ecosystem is described as machair and such systems occur in areas of high rainfall with high winds. In Europe they occur mainly in the north-west of Ireland and in Scotland.
Thallabaun or Dooaghtry is a commonage of 303 hectares owned in 22 undivided shares by local farmers. Division of the commonage and its subsequent fencing into lots would result in a change of use because of more intensive farming practices, fertilisation etc. Major changes in this important ecosystem would be likely to occur and therefore the Wildlife Service, while not objecting to the division of the commonage, would object to any planning applications for fencing and applications for grant aid under the western package.
Thallabaun commonage is one of the best sites of its type in Ireland and Europe and is of international importance. At present, my Department has no proposals for purchase of this area.