Trevor Sargent
Ceist:70 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the present status regarding the designation of national heritage areas; and the statutory protection for these areas. [9906/95]
Written Answers. - National Heritage Areas.
A draft scheme of a Bill to amend the Wildlife Act, 1976, is at present being prepared in my Department. It is the intention that this Bill will, inter alia, provide for statutory designation of Natural Heritage Areas. The designation procedure will include provision for the hearing of objections to proposed designations.
In the meantime a re-survey of areas designated as Areas of Scientific Interest has been carried out and 1,225 potential Natural Heritage Areas have been identified as a result.