asked the Minister for Finance if he has any proposals to create new national parks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Parks.
22.
Mr. Kenny
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 13th February, 1974, on the same subject.
23.
asked the Minister for Finance if national parks are regarded as a social institution concerned with human as well as wildlife values the future of which depends on the attitude the nation takes towards its environment.
Mr. Kenny
I subscribe to the underlying themes implied in the Deputy's question.
24.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to expand the present level of staff employed in the national park service.
Mr. Kenny
The staff requirements of the national park service are kept continuously under review in the light of growing public use of existing parks and the creation of new parks.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that the staff will be kept to a maximum level in order to protect the parks against vandalism?
Mr. Kenny
I can guarantee there will be no decrease in the number of staff in any of the parks.
Will there be an increase in staff?
Mr. Kenny
Yes, as the public use the parks more extensively.
25.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will commission a body such as An Taisce to research the history of the national park service, to assess its value to the public and to formulate guidelines for its future.
Mr. Kenny
Since the National Parks and Monuments Branch were established some years ago they have been studying the development of the national parks service throughout the world with a view to formulating policy guidelines for a national parks system for Ireland. These studies are continuing and I see no need to commission some other organisation to duplicate this work.