Vol. 543 No. 4
12 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the call made by the co-ordinator of Coastwatch Europe (details supplied) for a wetlands awareness campaign in view of the threat to wetlands areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27150/01]
I have received correspondence from Coastwatch Europe on this matter. I am also aware of recent media comment on the importance of wetlands.
I am committed to fostering an enhanced awareness and appreciation of all important habitats, including wetlands. The Deputy will be aware in that regard that the EU Habitats Directive lists habitat categories, some 60 of which exist in this country. Wetlands, which include marsh, fen, peatland, turloughs, rivers and estuaries, constitute one sub-set of these habitats.
Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, has placed emphasis on increasing awareness generally on the part of land owners and local communities of the importance of habitats, including wetlands, situated in their locality. This process can best be advanced by the establishment of a liaison committee representative of the land owners involved. These committees are a useful point of contact for Dúchas and are important in facilitating two way communication. Eighty-eight such liaison committees for individual sites have been formed to date.
Dúchas is preparing five year conservation management plans for all priority habitat SACs which will set out the conservation and management objectives necessary to maintain the favourable conservation status of these sites. I have insisted that Dúchas engage in a thorough public consultation process with landowners and the aforementioned liaison committees before these plans are finalised.
I am satisfied that these measures are contributing towards heightening awareness of the importance of conserving all habitats including wetland areas. The Deputy may also wish to be aware that the national bio-diversity plan, which will be published in the near future, will deal specifically with wetland conservation issues.
I thank the Minister for her reply and I acknowledge that progress is being made. Does the Minister share the view expressed by Ms Karen Dubsky that the planning exemption for land reclamation should be abolished? There is still a danger to many of our wetlands which are very important habitats. I realise that planning matters are not within the Minister's remit but in view of her responsibility for the protection of flora and fauna, does she see an ongoing and substantial danger arising from this exemption?
This is a separate matter as planning is not the responsibility of my Department. However, a liaison committee has been established between the Departments of the Environment and Local Government and Education and Science to review the role of the education system in environmental awareness. We are doing similar work in my own Department through the education and visitor service of the heritage service. That service is responsible for interpretation and education with regard to the national heritage. That kind of interdepartmental approach is the best way of making people aware of the importance of our wetlands.
Landowners and land users play a very important part in this and that is why the point of contact could be the liaison committees, of which there are already 88 in existence. These can act as very useful points of contact with Dúchas and in that way maintain an ongoing connection to ensure our wetlands are preserved.
We welcome the interdepartmental committee which the Minister has mentioned. Is material being produced for use in schools, particularly in national schools, so that from an early age young people will understand the importance of wetlands?
This is something which, no doubt, will be considered by the interdepartmental group. I agree with the Deputy that if we are to ensure that coming generations have an awareness of the importance our environment this can only be done through the education system. That is acknowledged by all.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's national sustainable development strategy, which is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. My own Department is responsible for the publication and production of the national biodiversity plan and the national heritage plan. I will be publishing these plans very soon.
The amendment of the Wildlife Act will also have a positive knock-on effect for the preservation of our wetlands.
