Vol. 460 No. 7
71 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether Ireland will be participating in the Planta Europa network to combat the increasing threat to wild plants in Europe; whether Ireland will assist in the creation of a recommended database to help protect threatened species of European plant life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2093/96]
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is involved in an ongoing programme of research on threatened plants and publication of Red Data Books listing threatened species which occur in Ireland. NPWS has contact with other member states of the EU and, on a wider scale, through the Council of Europe. In the circumstances it is not considered a priority at this time to direct resources towards another new organisation. Participation in Planta Europa will be kept under review. NPWS already has a database on rare Irish plants and will be happy to supply relevant information to Planta Europa.
