Vol. 471 No. 5
109 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he intends to intervene in the dispute in Coolea, County Cork, to prevent an area of natural beauty and importance from a conservation point of view being afforested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21336/96]
While the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has overall responsibility for nature conservation in Ireland, its remit in cases such as that referred to by the Deputy is confined to the protection of native species and habitats which have a conservation value.
The area in question is not proposed for designation as a Natural Heritage Area, I have no plans at present, to intervene in this case.
