Ciarán Cuffe
Question:704 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government when and if he proposes to carry out a national wetlands inventory. [15297/03]
Written Answers. - Natural Heritage Areas.
Wetlands include a variety of habitat types. Inventory and survey to date has focused on those considered to be most at risk, notably turloughs, lagoons and raised and blanket bogs. Fens are a remaining priority for survey. An inventory of blanket bogs suitable for designation as natural heritage areas, NHAs, under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 is being carried out this year, and similar consideration will be given to other wetland habitat types in subsequent years. The water framework directive will provide a context for further inventory and research on wetlands.