Vol. 433 No. 5
51 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance his views on the wetland sites that have been established as nature reserves; the protection and management proposals adopted for such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Seventy-two National Nature Reserves have been established to date under the Wildlife Act, 1976. The majority of these (46) contain wetlands, which covers bogs, coastal sites and estuaries as well as inland water bodies such as lakes.
The sites designated as National Nature Reserves receive the full protection of the Wildlife Act and are managed generally so as to conserve the ecosystems they contain. In addition appropriate management objectives are set for each reserve, having regard to the conservation status of the lands and waters within the reserve. These objectives vary from site to site, reflecting the diversity of habitats contained within the various reserves. The reserves are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works and a budget for the management of the reserves is provided out of the annual vote for the Office of Public Works.
