Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Heritage Area.

Ulick Burke

Question:

268 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if national heritage area designation was lifted on any lands at Commons East, Woodford, County Galway; if so, the person who sought the exemption of these lands; if this area of commonage is so designated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23518/00]

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

Lands at Commons East, Woodford, County Galway, lie within Slieve Aughty Bog which was proposed for designation as a natural heritage area, pNHA, in 1995 and were subsequently advertised as a proposed candidate special area of conservation, pcSAC. Some commonage is included within the site.

The site was re-examined as part of my Department's on-going review of all proposed sites and was delisted as a pcSAC as it was felt that the fragmented blanket bog contained therein did not justify SAC status. It was concluded however that the area should be retained as a proposed natural heritage area.