Vol. 558 No. 5
344 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the definition of a natural heritage area; the number and location of natural heritage areas here at present; the number and location of areas which are being considered to be designated as natural heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25168/02]
Between 1992 and 1994 a survey of known areas of ecological interest in Ireland was undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is now part of my Department. The survey recorded habitats, land uses and threats to these sites as well as identifying appropriate site boundaries. The survey recognised more than 1,100 areas of conservation value, which were then publicly notified as proposed Natural Heritage Areas. This suite of sites formed the main basis from which 364 candidate special areas of conservation under the EU Habitats Directive have been selected to date.
The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000, provides the basis for statutory designation of NHAs. The Act defines a natural heritage area as "an area which is worthy of conservation for one or more species, communities, habitats, landforms or geological or geomorphological features, or for its diversity of natural attributes." To date no NHAs have been formally designated under the Act but the process leading to designation has commenced. Last March proposals were published, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, of the intention to designate seven coastal sites as NHAs in respect of their bird interest.
I am committed to publishing, later this month, proposals of my intention to designate 75 raised bogs as NHAs. These sites are located mainly in midland counties. They will form the first major group of conservation sites to be proposed for designation under the provisions of the Act. In 2003 and subsequently, on a phased basis, I intend to publish proposals for statutory protection of further sites as NHAs. These proposals will deal mainly with sites of ecological interest previously notified on a non-statutory basis as proposed NHAs, as well as sites of geological interest which are being identified and recommended to me by the Geological Survey of Ireland.
