Vol. 537 No. 5
444 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will reconsider the decision of the Department not to allow a specially designed transporter to take disabled people on trips to Lugnaquilla, County Wicklow; if a submission made by a person (details supplied) concerning this project can be re-examined and a positive reply issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16526/01]
Every effort is made by my Department to facilitate disabled visitors to the Wicklow Mountains National Park, having at all times, regard for conservation, the topography of the area and the safety of the users. Examples of disability friendly initiatives taken by me in Wicklow Mountains National Park include the provision of board walking between the upper and lower lakes, refurbishment of Bolger's Cottage and proposals to refurbish Joseph's Cottage.
However, the Deputy will appreciate that Lugnaquilla is a candidate special area of conservation and as such my Department is legally required to protect it from erosion under the terms of the EU Habitats Directive. Surface erosion is a problem in mountainous areas around the country and Wicklow in particular. Any new activity, such as the use of motorised vehicles, would increase the risk of damage to the site.
Officials from Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, would be happy to assist the promoter to identify other areas in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and other Dúchas properties where this type of transport could be accommodated.
