Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 5

Written Answers. - European Nature Conservation Year.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

48 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the plans, if any, that have been put in place in Ireland for European Nature Conservation Year 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8342/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Ireland is playing a full part in European Nature Conservation Year 1995, ENCY '95. In February last I was pleased to launch a major programme of activities and events for ENCY '95, a national committee representing relevant Government Departments, local authorities and semi-State organisations together with farming interests, non-Governmental organisations and interested individuals.

The programme, which is well under way, is extensive with projects aimed at a wide range of audiences. These include: three nature weekends aimed at the general public; "Appreciate Ireland, Our Land". a series of seven seminars sponsored and hosted by local authorities; eight public lectures and children's workshops throughout the country; a seminar on nature conservation for managers and developers of waymarked ways and walking routes; a workshop-based conference to encourage good practice in the teaching of environmental education in schools; sponsored competitions — art, photographic and "Design A Wildlife Garden"— mainly aimed at young people; and three sponsored award schemes for nature conservation projects — Macra na Feirme, tidy towns and residents associations through ACRA.

The published programme of events and activities, which was circulated to Members of the House in early March, promotes "Awareness and Action of Nature Conservation" in conjunction with the internationaly accepted theme of "Nature Outside Protected Areas".