Vol. 491 No. 5
101 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when regulations for Baldoyle Nature Reserve, Dublin 13 are likely to be issued; and the reason for the delay in this regard. [12590/98]
102 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will ensure that signs erected at Baldoyle Nature Reserve, Dublin 13 are fully bilingual. [12591/98]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 101 agus Uimh. 102 le chéile.
Due to a technical difficulty posed by section 59(1)(c) of the Wildlife Act, 1976 it has not been possible for me to make regulations for Baldoyle Nature Reserve and other nature reserves throughout the country. Following the receipt of advice from the Office of the Attorney General it was decided that the best way of resolving the problem would be to amend the Act itself. A draft wildlife amendment Bill is at advanced stage of preparation. When the Bill passes into law I will then be in a position to make regulations for Baldoyle and other nature reserves.
With regard to the question of signage it is the policy of Dúchas the heritage service of my Department that signage on its properties be bilingual. Dúchas is currently engaged in a programme to provide information panels at each nature reserve in the country. The existing information signs at Baldoyle nature reserve will be replaced as part of this programme. These new panels, when erected, will be bilingual.
