Vol. 439 No. 7
27 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a concerted effort nationwide to provide habitats for game birds and wildlife in general on every mountain range and extensive area of high ground with adequate compensation paid to land-owners where such habitats are created.
Protection of existing natural habitats is given priority over creation of new habitats as this is more cost effective. Protecting threatened species and their habitats is a major part of the implementation of the Wildlife Act, 1976, and the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This is achieved by various means, in particular general protection under the planning laws; assessment of developments in areas of scientific interest; and the most vulnerable sites are protected by drawing up management agreements with the landowner or by acquisition.
Over the next year, I plan to designate a million and a quarter acres of land, 7 per cent of the territory of the State, as natural heritage areas. These areas are areas where protection of habitats and wildlife will be actively encouraged. The rural environment protection scheme (REPS) to be implemented this year by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will provide aid for land-owners to protect such habitats. I also plan this year to designate 30 areas of special protection areas for birds. The State also directly manages 160,000 acres approximately as national parks and nature reserves.
