Vol. 543 No. 4
36 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the level of consultation which has gone into the preparation of the national biodiversity plan for Ireland; when the plan will be completed and published; and if she will lift the ban on non-governmental organisations having sight of the draft plan. [27080/01]
The preparation of the national biodiversity action plan involved an extended formal public consultation process. Public notices were placed in the national press inviting submissions from interested parties or individuals. Submissions were also invited directly from relevant organisations, including third level institutions and NGOs, representative of both conservation and sectoral interests. Officials of my Department met with key NGOs and explained in considerable detail the format and general approach of the plan. Approximately 50 submissions were received, quite a number of which were very comprehensive. These were reviewed and incorporated, as appropriate, into the plan.
