Vol. 491 No. 3
395 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason lands (details supplied) have not been included in the natural heritage areas; if these lands have been investigated for this; and, if not, if she will have arrangements made to have them investigated now in view of the existence of rare flora and fauna and alluvial woodland in the area. [12341/98]
The proposed Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) were selected from the former areas of scientific interest (ASIs) following field surveys to ascertain which of these continued to have a special wildlife interest. The lands in question were not included in the ASI inventory, and therefore were not looked at in the context of the NHA programme. Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, has no scientific information regarding these lands and if the Deputy can provide such details of the fauna and flora referred to in his question, Dúchas will assess the matter with a view to arranging a site visit.
