asked the Minister for Local Government if he will establish an inventory of protected or endangered countryside as recommended by EEC Ministers in March, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Countryside.
80.
I can trace no recommendation in this matter to EEC Ministers.
Following the recommendations of the European Ministerial Conference on the Environment held in Vienna in March, 1973, my Department, in common with the Department of Lands, is participating in work under the auspices of the Council of Europe which may lead to the establishment of a European inventory of protected or endangered countryside areas of international importance.
The sound amplification system went off and I did not hear some of the Minister's reply. Do I understand that the Minister is going to wait for a European initiative in this matter without taking any steps of his own?
I have pointed out to Deputy Lemass that although he refers to a recommendation by the EEC Ministers in 1973, there is no such recommendation. Therefore, he started on a wrong premise and his question is slanted in the wrong way.
May I assure the Minister that I would not put down such a question unless I had read documentation in connection with it? What I am asking the Minister now is whether he will consider the establishment of such an inventory here on his own initiative.
My Department are participating in work under the auspices of the Council of Europe, which is a different thing altogether and I propose to proceed in that direction.