asked the Minister for Finance whether, in light of the increased cost of licences for sporting guns, he will provide grants to preserve habitat for endangered game species.
Written Answers. - Game Protection.
40.
There are no proposals for the introduction of direct grants to preserve habitat for game species. I am satisfied that the protection of game and other wild fauna is being effected through the habitat acquisition programme and wildfowl sanctuaries operated by the Wildfowl Service of the Office of Public Works. There are 64 nature reserves and 56 wildfowl sanctuaries and it is intended to increase these as resources permit. I am attaching a list of the reserves and sanctuaries for the Deputy's information.
Wildlife Service
Statutory Nature Reserves in Ireland
To date nature reserves have been established under the Wildlife Act, 1976. The lands comprising most of these reserves are owned by the Wildlife Service. The reserves are at the following locations:
1. Derryclare (19 ha) Grid Ref: L8450. Situated on the NW shore of Derryclare Lough, Ballinahinch, Co. Galway. This is an excellent example of native semi-natural woodland of the hyper-oceanic type, of which about 8 hectares are woodland — the balance comprises pond, wet moorland and lake-shore ecosystems. Established on 13 June 1980.
2. Glen of the Downs (59 ha) Grid Ref: T2611 about 5 miles south of Bray, Co. Wicklow. It is an area of sessile oak. It is a very good example of the dryer type of oakwood characteristic of acid soils in Wicklow. Established on 13 June 1980.
3. Ballykeeffe (55.4 ha) Grid Ref: S4151 4 miles N of Callan town, Co. Kilkenny.
4. Garryricken (27.9 ha) Grid Ref: S4038 3 miles SSW of Callan.
5. Kyleadohir (58.7 ha) Grid Ref: S3742 3 miles WSW of Callan. These three nature reserves (3, 4, 5) are good examples of young quasi-natural elm/ash/oak woods on fertile soil and constitute some of the largest woods of their kind left in Ireland. All three established on 18 December 1980.
6. Caher (Murphy) (9 ha) Grid Ref: R5792 in the Slieveaughty Mountain Range, Co. Clare. It is an area of oakwood on moist fertile soil and contains a rich ground flora. Established on 18 December 1980.
7. The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve (110 ha) Grid Ref: T0834, T0324, T0716 which is situated on the sloblands north of Wexford Harbour. It is owned jointly by the Department and the Irish Wildbird Conservancy and it forms a wintering ground of international importance for a number of migratory waterfowl species including in particular the Greenland White-fronted Goose. Established on 3 June 1981.
8. Lough Hyne Nature Reserve (65 ha) Grid Ref: W1029. This is a sea lough and there is a very wide range of important habitats within the Lough and its seaward approaches, a range seldom found in more extensive areas elsewhere. These varied habitats support an exceptionally wide range of animal and plant species. Lough Hyne is situated about 4 miles south-west of Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Established on 3 June 1981.
9. Uragh Wood (87 ha) Grid Ref: V8469 on the south-west shore of Lough Inchiquin, west of Kenmare, Co. Kerry. It is an excellent example of hyper-oceanic, semi-natural woodland with sessile oak the dominant species. Established 22 December 1982.
10. Deputy's Pass (47 ha) Grid Ref: T5992 near Glenealy, Co. Wicklow. Although coppice in origin, this woodland is a good example of its type. Established 22 December 1982.
11. Grantston Wood Grantston Lough (48-6 ha) Grid Ref.; S3580.
12. Coolacurragh Wood (8.5 ha) Grid Ref: S3580. These two reserves (11, 12) are situated about 5 miles west-north-west of Durrow, Co. Laois. They are rare examples of wet woodland on base-rich soils while Granston Lough is a classic example of a lake which has gradually infilled through fen to alder carr. Established 22 December 1982.
13. The Raven Nature Reserve (589 ha) Grid Ref: T1123, situated five miles north east of Wexford town. This is a large, well developed sand dune ecosystem and comprises State forest property, foreshore and seabed. The area supports a full range of duneland animals, several of which are of particular interest and has a rich flora including some rare species. It is one of the best developed sand dune systems on the east coast. Established 31 July 1983.
14. Vale of Clara Co. Wicklow (220 ha) Grid Ref: T1890. This reserve comprises a large area of fragmented oakwood mostly on the eastern side of the Avonmore River. It contains the largest area of semi-natural woodlands in Co. Wicklow and it is potentially one of the largest stands of native hardwoods in the country. The area has been at least partially under woodland since the last Ice Age. The oakwoods are also of high scenic value. Established 29 December 1983.
15. Rosturra Wood (17.68 ha) Grid Ref: M7500 2 miles ENE of Woodford.
16. Derrycrag Wood (101.477 ha) Grid Ref: M7500 3/4 miles S.E. of Woodford. These nature reserves (15, 16) comprise fragments of a once extensive forest and now contain stands of oak and ash with an understorey of holly and hazel and a rich ground flora. Established on 29 December 1983.
17. Ballynastaig Wood (9.758 ha) Grid Ref: M4203 1-2 miles N.W. of Gort, Co. Galway.
18. Coole-Garryland (363.583 ha) Co. Galway.
These two reserves (17, 18) through their combination of deciduous woods, limestone reefs, lakes and turloughs, constitute one of the most interesting Irish vegetation and faunal complexes still in existence. The Coole-Garryland reserve contains a variety of floral habitat including well-formed high forest on deep pockets of soil, dwarf woodland on limestone pavement, bare pavement, a turlough complex in the hollows and Coole Lake. A large portion of this reserve was formerly owned by Lady Gregory, co-founder with W. B. Yeats and Edward Martyn, of the Abbey Theatre. Established on 29 December 1983.
19. Pollnaknockaun Wood (38.85 ha) Grid Ref: M7500 1 mile NE of Woodford Village, Co. Galway. Semi-natural woodland which once formed part of the extensive forest referred to under (15) and (16) above. Established 29 December 1983.
20. Oldhead Wood (27 ha) Grid Ref: L8382 1-2 miles NE of Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. This small reserve lies on the west side of two knolls which form a promontory on the southern shore of Clew Bay. It is an example of semi-natural woodland, oak being the dominant species, with birch, rowan, willow and some introduced beech and sycamore. Established 11 December 1984.
21. Pettigo Plateau (900 ha) Grid Ref: H0074 7 miles NW of Pettigo, Co. Donegal. This large reserve is an excellent example of a Donegal blanket bog; wet health complete with headwater lake complex. Established 11 December 1984.
22. Dromore (370 ha) Grid Ref: R3585 10 km north of Ennis, Co. Clare. This reserve comprises a semi-natural woodland and four major wetland types. Established 28 November 1985.
23. Richmond Esker (15.7 ha) Grid Ref: M590540 4 km north-west of Moylough, County Galway.
24. Timahoe Esker (13.5 ha) Grid Ref: S5492 1 km north-east of Timahoe, County Laois. These are two of the few esker ridges left in the country which still carry native woodland. Although extensively planted with conifers and other exotic species it is planned to expand the native woodland using appropriate management techniques.
25. Slieve Bloom Mountains (2,230 ha) Grid Ref: N2905 situated on the border of Counties Laois and Offaly. An excellent example of mountain blanket bog. Established 28 November 1985.
26. Capel Island and Knockadoon Head State owned (126.9 ha) Grid Ref: X2970.
27. Capel Island and Knockadoon Head privately owned (16.1 ha) Grid Ref: X2970. These reserves comprise all of Capel Island off the south coast near Youghal, County Cork, part of the Knockadoon headland opposite the island and the intervening sea area. No. 27 is the first privately owned statutory nature reserve to be established in the State. Both reserves established 28 November 1985.
28. Keelhilla, Slieve Carron (145.5 ha) Grid Ref: M3203 situated at the north-east edge of the Burren plateau. A good example of Karst topography containing three distinctive vegetation communities i.e. woodland and scrub grassland and pavement. Established 30 October 1986.
29. Duntally Wood (15.3 ha) Grid Ref: 0630 situated in a deep valley 1/2 km south-east of Creeslough. It is rich in plant species with alder woodland on the valley floor and hazel/ash woodland on the valley sides. Established 30 October 1986.
30. Rathmullen Wood (32.73 ha) Grid Ref: C2727 situated on the western shore of Lough Swilly 20 km north-east of Letterkenny. This oakwood has a well developed structure and is rich in plant species. Established 30 October 1986.
31. Ballyarr Wood (30 ha) Grid Ref: C1820 situated 11 km north of Letterkenny and 5 km west of Ramelton on the eastern flank of a low ridge of hills. An oakwood growing on a range of soil types and with a rich flora. It contains areas of old coppice and old field systems reverting to woodland. Established 30 October 1986.
32. Knockmoyle Sheskin (732.4) Grid Ref: F985260 situated north of Bord na Móna works at Bellacorrick between the Oweniny River on the eastern side and Sheskin Lodge and the ruined settlement of Sheskin on the western side. An extensive area of lowland blanket bog densely pool-studded and containing interesting flushes. Established 15 December 1986.
33. Mount Brandon (461.75 ha) Grid Ref: Q4611 situated on the north-east side of the Dingle peninsula. It consists of part of the Mount Brandon range of mountains and the foothills. It was acquired to conserve the mountain blanket bog/heath complex there and its famed alpine flora. Established 15 December 1986.
34. Pollardstown Fen (130 ha) Grid Ref: N7817, situated on the northern margin of the Curragh approximately 3 km west north-west of Newbridge. The largest remaining spring fed fen in Ireland possessing a large number of characteristic fenland species and communities. Established 15 December 1986.
35. Eirk Bog (16 ha) Grid Ref: V851785 situated in the Owenreagh Valley, Killarney 1 km north of Molls' Gap. It is part of a very well developed and little disturbed example of an intermediate bog with associated poor fen and blanket bog/wet heath communities. Established 15 December 1986.
36. Ballygilgan, Lissadell (29.5 ha) Grid Ref: G6444. A large grass field sloping south-west-wards from a public road from Carney to Lissadell. It is a site of international importance for Barnacle geese due to the number it supports. (C 1,000 birds). Established 15 December 1986.
37. Owenboy (397.1 ha) Grid Ref: G05175 situated 10 km west of Crossmolina and 10 km east of Bellacorrick on the southside of the Ballina/Belmullet Road at Eskeragh Bridge. An extensive bog of intermediate type utilised by Greenland White-fronted Geese and lying in a broad basin. It contains a number of low domes resembling raised bogs and numerous flushes with a rare species of moss. Established 15 December 1986.
38. Ballyteige (6.4 ha) Grid Ref: R152973, situated 2 km west of Lisdoonvarna, County Clare. It consists of five parcels of wet meadow and heath. These are being managed in the traditional way for hay making with the objective of maintaining them as examples of the wet meadows found over the shale soils of the region. Established 15 December 1986.
39. Clara Bog (460 ha) Grid Ref: N2530 situated in County Offaly acquired from Bord na Móna for conservation purposes. It is among the few large raised midland bogs remaining substantially intact. It contains a wide variety of vegetation types and habitats and a well developed drainage (or soak) system. Established 15 September 1987.
40. Lough Barra Bog (176.4 ha) Grid Ref: B9210 situated in the upper part of the Gweebarra River Valley, County Donegal. It is a lowland blanket bog with a characteristic assemblage of plant species. It is also the habitat of three species of birds to be given special protection under the EEC Bird Directive i.e. Greenland White-fronted Goose, Merlin, Golden Plover. Established 15 September 1987.
41. Puffin Island (32.73 ha) Grid Ref: V3467 State owned.
42. Puffin Island (53.77 ha) Grid Ref: V3467 Privately owned.
Puffin Island is situated off the Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry and is well known for its large colonies of breeding seabirds. It is owned by the Irish Wildbird Conservancy. A marine reserve has been established on the surrounding area of sea and sea shore to ensure the protection of the birds and control activities which might cause disturbance. Established 15 September 1987.
43. Mongan Bog (126.6 ha) Grid Ref: N0330 is situated near Clonmacnoise, County Offaly. It is an excellent example of a midland raised bog with a well developed system of pools and is a valuable addition to the growing network of peatland reserves. Established 15 September 1987.
44. The Gearagh (300 ha) Grid Ref: W3370, is situated in the middle reaches of the Lee River, County Cork and is the property of the ESB. It is the only extensive alluvial soil forest in Western Europe west of the Rhine and is therefore unique to the network of woodland nature reserves. It consists of a network of narrow channels separating islands which are covered in oak, ash and birch. Established 15 September 1987.
45. Raheenmore Bog (162 ha) Grid Ref: N4432 situated 4 miles north-west of Daingean, County Offaly. It is a well developed and an exceptional example of deep midland raised bog which is regarded as being of national importance. It was donated by Bord na Móna for the purpose of conserving it as a peatland system. Established 28 September 1987. 46. Ballyteige Burrow (227 ha) Grid Ref: S9306 is a 9 km long shingle spit running north-west from the coastal village of Kilmore Quay in south County Wexford and adjoining foreshore. The flora of Ballyteige Burrow includes a number of rare plants such as Asparagus officinalis and is especially rich in dune plants and those which prosper in coastal habitats. Established 28 September 1987.
47. Glendalough (157 ha) Grid Ref: T1194 series of oakwoods extending from the upper lake to the lower slopes of Derrybawn mountain and including some conifer plantations. Established 14 April 1988.
48. Glenealo Valley (1,958 ha) Grid Ref: T1196 lies above and to the west of Glendalough. It is a broad open valley surrounded by mountains and generally consists of a large plateau of mixed heathland and peatland. Established 14 April 1988.
49. Lough Yganavan (25.3 ha) Grid Ref: V7095.
50. Lough Nambrackdarrig (3.9 ha) Grid Ref: V7095.
These two reserves are situated in the Dingle peninsula in the vicinity of Castlemaine harbour. They consist of freshwater lakes and are important breeding sites for the Natterjack Toad. Established 14 April 1988.
51. Derkmore Wood (7.0 ha) Grid Ref: G7899 situated in Gweebarra Forest, County Donegal, on exposed undulating ground on the southern flank of Cleangort Hill. An area of oak scrub with well developed bryophyte and lichen flora. Established 14 April 1988.
52. Rogerstown Estuary (195.5 ha) Grid Ref: 02352, a small tidal bay in north County Dublin which is an estuary of several small rivers/streams which flow in at the western and north-western sides. It is a site of international importance for Brent Geese. Established 14 April 1988.
53. North Bull Island (118 ha) Grid Ref: O2237 privately owned.
54. North Bull Island (1,318 ha) Grid Ref: 02237 state owned.
These two reserves are situated in the northern part of Dublin Bay within the boundary of Dublin city and only c. 5 km from the city centre. The island is covered with dune grassland. An extensive salt marsh lies to the north-west and at extreme low tides there are extensive mud flats between the island and the mainland. The reserves are of international scientific importance for Brent Geese and also on botanical, ornithological, zoological, geological and geomorphological grounds. Established 21 September 1988.
55. Baldoyle Estuary County Dublin (203 ha) Grid Ref: 0245410, a tidal bay situated north-east of Dublin city. The reserve is rated as of international importance for Brent Geese. Established 21 September 1988.
56. Fiddown Island County Kilkenny (62.6 ha) Grid Ref: S4720, a long narrow island of marsh/woodland on the River Suir. It is covered in willow scrub and bordered by reed swamps — the only known site of its type in Ireland. Established 21 September 1988.
57. Great Skellig County Kerry (22.6 ha) Grid Ref: V2561, also known as Sceilig Michil, is a small precipitous rocky pinnacle rising from the Atlantic Ocean off the Iveragh peninsula. It is rated as of international importance for certain seabirds species — Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels and Puffins. It also provides a good example of typical plant communities of a small and remote marine island. Established 21 September 1988.
58. Little Skellig County Kerry (7.8 ha) Grid Ref: V270620 a small precipitous rocky pinnacle rising from the Atlantic Ocean on the Iveragh peninsula. It is rated as of international importance because of the colonies of Gannets that inhabit the island. Established 21 September 1988.
59. Tralee Bay County Kerry (754.53 ha) Grid ref: Q7411, situated on the north side of the Dingle Peninsula west of the town of Tralee. It is of international importance for waterfowl especially the wintering populations of Brent Geese which it supports. Established 16 May 1989.
60. Derrymore Island County Kerry (106.07 ha) Grid Ref: Q7411, situated in Tralee Bay. It is a compound spit composed of a series of pebble beaches. One of the best spits in Ireland, it supports many rare plant communities mainly of a salt marsh type. The salt marsh on the eastern side of the spit is grazed by Wigeon and Brent Geese while the top of the spit is an important high tide roosting area for shorebirds. Established 16 May 1989.
61. Tearaght Island County Kerry (19.1 ha) Grid Ref: V1894, state owned.
62. Tearaght Island County Kerry (27.5 ha) Grid Ref: V1894, privately owned.
Tearaght Island — one of the Blasket group of islands — is of international importance because of the large colonies of seabirds it supports. A marine reserve has been established on the surrounding area of sea and seashore to ensure the protection of the birds and control activities that might cause disturbance. Established 16 May 1989.
63. Knockomagh Wood County Cork (12.5 ha) Grid Ref: W091289 situated on a hill side overlooking and adjoining Lough Hyne nature reserve. It consists of a small area of sessile oak and mixed broadleaf woodland. Established 16 May 1989.
64. Derrycunihy Wood County Kerry (136 ha) Grid Ref: V8980. Situated in Killarney valley adjoining and surrounding Killarney National Park. It is owned by Coillte Teo and consists of old native oak woodlands with some patches of bog and lakeshore. Established 16 May 1989.
Following is the list of wildfowl sanctuaries:
River Barrow (Muine Bheag);
Lough Oughter Group;
Lough Ramor;
Dartrey/Fairfield;
Ballyallia Lake;
Islandavanna;
Mutton Island;
Ballynamona-Shannagarry;
Kilcolman Bog;
Lough Aderry;
The Lee Reservoir;
The Lough;
Ards;
Blanket Nook;
Dunfanaghy Lake;
Lough Fern;
Trawbrega Bay;
Brittas Ponds;
The North Bull Island;
Rogerstown Estuary;
Coole Lough;
Lough Derg (parts);
Muchanagh/Cloonlaughnan;
Coon, Ventry;
Derrycunnihy/Gallavally;
Doolough/Tullaha;
Inch/Castlemaine Harbour (part);
Lough Gill;
Rossbehy/Caragh Creek;
Ballynafagh Lake (Blackwood Lake);
River Barrow (Goresbridge);
Lough Cullin (Holly Lake;
Lough Gur;
City of Limerick (part);
Ballymascanlan Estuary);
Lurgan Green;
Carrowmore Lake;
Inishkea Islands;
Lough Carra;
Lough Conn;
Boyne Estuary (part);
Emy Lough;
Little Brosna;
Annaghmore Lough;
Lough Croan;
Lough Funshinagh;
Lough Gara;
Drumcliffe Bay (part);
Coolfin Marshes;
River Blackwater;
Coosan Lough/Killinure Lough;
Lough Iron;
River Slaney (part);
Rosslare Point;
Tacumshin Lake (part);
Tern Island;
Broad Lough;
Poulaphuca;
Tullaher Lough;
Sheskinmore Lough;
Lough Rusheen;
Moyne;
Mayfield Lake;
Bannow Lake;
Bannow Bay;
Lough Mask;
Douglas Estuary;
Inagh River (part).