Heritage Centres Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Questions (479)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

479. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to establish a mechanism at a county level for the protection of local biodiversity areas as part of a move to protect the proposed 600 Natural Heritage Areas; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that organisations such as BirdWatch Ireland have been forced to issue a code of conduct for visitors to bird colonies in view of the fact that there are no signage, wardens or cordoning of visitors that would prevent disturbance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26670/13]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Most of the important bird breeding colonies are protected as Special Protection Areas under the EU Birds Directive, and a great many are difficult to access. Nesting birds are strictly protected under the Wildlife Acts and my Department is active in enforcing the Acts. I welcome the contribution of voluntary organisations which provide codes of conduct for their members and the public in areas important for nature.

Local authorities also have a role to play in both promoting and protecting local biodiversity. This is a role I am interested in expanding. The national biodiversity plan “Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016” which I published in 2011, following consultation with other Government Departments, local authorities and stakeholders, recognises the important role of local authorities and communities in protecting biodiversity. An action in the plan is that each local authority would publish a Local Biodiversity Action Plan or review existing plans.