Vol. 452 No. 1
10 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on the case put forward by the local committee on Tullagher Bog, County Clare, requiring that this area be purchased and preserved as a natural heritage area. [7367/95]
An area of some 180 acres adjacent to the lake has been offered for sale and the purchase was considered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It advises that the lands are not considered a priority area for acquisition at present. The land acquisition programme is subject to the availability of resources and priority is given to the most immediately threatened areas of conservation value.
Given his interest in this area I am sure the Minister is aware that Tullagher Bog is the last remaining natural raised bog in County Clare. Clare and north Kerry are unique in that they are the only places where the midland bogs reach the west coast. They have been replaced everywhere else with blanket bog. That reference is taken from Bellamy and Bellamy, 1966. If he so desires, I can give a copy of the full statement to the Minister after Question Time. The Doonbeg community in particular wish to see this bog preserved, given its importance in ecological terms, and would like to know when they can expect to receive support from the Office of Public Works in the form of road improvements within and on the perimeter of the heritage zone, the development of small scale parking facilities, directional signs from main population centres, the signposting of individual attractions within the zone, interpretative signs and brochure and the construction and placement of bird hides. They would like to see the Minister encouraging the Office of Public Works, if it is in need of such encouragement, to provide such facilities.
The position is that Tullagher Bog is of interest and I do not dispute its significance as a raised bog. The criteria which the Office of Public Works uses are availability — this has been met — the degree of threat and its place in relation to other competing projects within the annual budget set aside for projects. We are not disputing its ecological value; because of its ranking it has not been possible to consider it for purchase now but the appropriate section will keep the matter under review.
I emphasise and underline that this is an important area which may find itself under threat. According to the experts it is now the last remaining natural raised bog in County Clare. Notwithstanding the financial constraints, I ask the Minister to give it priority within his Department to encourage the local community to continue its work in the hope that it will hear of developments very soon.
I am anxious not to abuse my position by interfering with the professional judgment of the Office of Public Works. I will keep this matter under review within the criteria I have outlined. I do not question the value of raised bog. I am aware of the study Bellamy and Bellamy; there is a later study by Mathijs Schouten. I commend the local community for their interest in ecological integrity and for wanting to preserve this bog. Perhaps others could follow their example. It is not being left aside; I will ask the National Parks and Wildlife Service to keep me advised about the possibilities.
