Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Natural Heritage Areas.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

332 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will report on the damage to the proposed natural heritage area at Ballebytagh Bog, County Dublin; the extent of this damage in scientific terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7155/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

My Department was made aware recently of damage being done in Ballebytagh Bog, which is a proposed natural heritage area.

The damage consists mainly of the reopening of a drain which was first opened in 1847 under a famine relief scheme and contained the remains of animals – deer and elk – hundreds of samples of which are in the Natural History Museum. An attempt to construct a type of roadway in the area is also a cause for concern.

Archaeological and wildlife staff of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, have visited the site and, in consultation with the Geological Survey Office and the National Museum, are assessing the damage and the possible mitigation measures which may be undertaken to alleviate the damage.