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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Parks.

Austin Deasy

Question:

521 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received estimates of the numbers and species of nesting wildlife such as pheasants, grouse partridges and woodcock which were destroyed by the recent fire at Eagle's Nest Mountain in Killarney National Park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11885/02]

An outbreak of fire on 9 and 10 April destroyed over 400 hectares of moorland as well as fringes of some of the oldest pockets of native woodland on the western side of Killarney National Park. The location is a very remote area of the park, in difficult and dangerous terrain, which made it difficult to access for the purposes of fighting the blaze. It is not possible to estimate the number and species of birds that might have been lost. While the nests of species such as wheatears, stonechats, meadow pipits, snipe, red grouse, woodcock and peregrine falcon may have been lost in the fire, it is considered unlikely that nesting birds were present because of the time of year. I understand that the terrain in question is not suitable as a habitat for pheasants and partridges. In view of a recent spate of fire outbreaks in Killarney National Park, Dúchas has asked the local Garda to investigate the matter.

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