Vol. 467 No. 7
124 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the plans, if any, he has to designate the land of the Commissioners for Irish Lights at Wicklow Head and the commonage adjoining the Commissioners' land as an area of special scientific interest; and the factors he will take into account when evaluating such a designation. [13937/96]
A survey has been undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of former areas of scientific interest, to determine whether they should be proposed for designation as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs).
A site in the Wicklow Head area has been proposed for such designation. I am forwarding directly to the Deputy a 6" map on which the extent of the proposed NHA is indicated. As the Deputy will see from this map, the old light-house itself is outside the proposed area.
I am also forwarding to the Deputy a description of the Wicklow Head proposed NHA together with a note setting out the criteria used by NPWS in selecting such. These criteria are applied in the light of best current scientific knowledge.
