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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 2

Written Answers. - Natural Heritage Areas.

Edward Nealon

Question:

76 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by many landholders in counties Sligo, Mayo and Leitrim about the extent of the areas proposed by the Office of Public Works to be designated as natural heritage areas: if the designation of an area will in many cases, especially those suitable for plantation, reduce the value of holdings; if there was adequate consultation with the landholders regarding the proposed designation in view of confusion as to the criteria being used; if he will make a statement on the way in which decisions about proposed natural heritage areas are made and the effect this is going to have on developments in areas so designated; and if the Office of Public Works will enter into consultation with representatives of local communities affected before proceeding further with the designation process. [4792/95]

Edward Nealon

Question:

78 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the present status of the proposed natural heritage areas; when areas will be definitively designated as natural heritage areas; and the likely changes, if any, there will be from the present proposed areas as outlined by the Office of Public Works in recent statements of its intentions. [4794/95]

I have been aware for some time that there is concern in certain quarters regarding the designation of natural heritage areas NHAs, and I am considering taking steps at present to direct the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, to withdraw the NHA designations which it had previously made in regard to Counties Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Louth, Longford, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow, and to initiate the process of considering whether certain areas of Counties Cork, Donegal, Kerry and Monaghan should be designated as NHAs.

Proposals have also been made by the NWPS in regard to the possible designation of NHAs in the remaining ten counties, including Sligo, Mayo and Leitrim.

I am determined to ensure that adequate prior consultation will take place with land owners and occupiers and other interested parties. All such parties will have an opportunity to make their views known regarding any proposed designations and indeed to object to such designations. All views expressed will be taken into account prior to final decisions being taken in regard to designation.

Formal designation of sites as NHAs will only take place after this consultation procedure has been completed, the Wildlife Act, 1976, is amended and a formal system for hearing objections is established.

The NHAs are areas of the country that contain the best remaining examples of our native wildlife species and habitats and scientific criteria were used in the identification of these areas. As the areas proposed for designation as NHAs have been identified solely on scientific grounds, it is unlikely that there will be major changes in these areas prior to designation, although it is possible that there will be some revisions to boundaries.
As part of the process, attempts are being made to identify all land owners and occupiers of land included within the proposed NHAs and it is proposed to write to all owners and occupiers identified to advise them of the proposals.
The proposed NHAs do not affect ownership rights, including access, grazing, sporting or turbary rights and accordingly land values should not be significantly affected by NHA designation. In relation to development in NHAs, the Deputy will appreciate that the NPWS would object to any proposals considered to be environmentally damaging.

Edward Nealon

Question:

77 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if the Office of Public Works has any objections to the planting of forests in or adjacent to the proposed national heritage areas and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4793/95]

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, has a responsibility to advise the forest service whether afforestation proposals are compatible with protecting the environment.

There is no blanket objection to the afforestation of proposed natural heritage areas, NHAs and proposed forestry developments will be examined in the light of their location and likely effect on the environment. If the NPWS is made aware of a proposed development outside an NHA, it will assess its likely impact on nature conservation and advise the appropriate authorities accordingly.

The regulations governing afforestation grants require that all afforestation development in receipt of grant-aid be compatible with protecting the environment.

The decision as to whether any forestry development is eligible for grant-aid rests with the grant-aiding body and not with the NPWS.
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