Enda Kenny
Question:67 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider designating the Nephin Beg range, County Mayo as a national park; if work has been carried out on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Nephin Beg (County Mayo) Range.
Enda Kenny
Question:68 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the transfer of surplus native red deer from the Killarney herd to the Nephin Beg range, County Mayo where such deer abounded in past times; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There are five national parks in Ireland, Killarney, Connemara, Glenveagh, Wicklow Mountains and the Burren. In each case the State owns a sufficiently large land area worthy of conservation where man's impact can be kept to a minimum and where the public can visit and appreciate the parks without damaging them. Strict criteria are laid down by the World Conservation Union and endorsed by the UN in order to qualify as a national park and our five national parks meet these criteria.
There is not much scope for designating further areas of the country as national parks. The Office of Public Works as the State agency with responsibility for the protection of our natural heritage does, however, review potential areas for future parks.
North west Mayo has been examined in this context but having regard to current priorities and resources there is not at present a specific proposal to establish a national park there. It is therefore premature to consider transferring native deer to the Nephin Beg range in Mayo.