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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Conservation of Boglands.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

173 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will liaise with the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry to completely cease peat extraction and forestry developments on peatland and natural heritage areas and to offer farmers incentives to reduce the density of sheep grazing on blanket bogs in Ireland. [18252/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

174 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will devise a nature conservation strategy for peatlands to be implemented by all relevant Departments before the year 2000. [18253/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

175 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will make resources available to put the nature conservation strategy into action in order that peatland and natural heritage areas will be protected. [18254/96]

Earlier this year the Government ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity. Among the aims of the convention are the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components. These aims and others are to be achieved by the development of national strategies, plans and programmes. A national biodiversity plan is currently being prepared by my Department to develop these strategies, plans and programmes in the Irish context. This plan will address, inter alia, measures necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of peatlands. The resources necessary for the protection of these peatlands will be assessed in the light of the plan.

My Department is currently engaged in discussions with both the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and farming organisations regarding areas proposed to be designated as National Heritage Areas — NHAs — and special areas of conservation. The issue of overgrazing is, of course, being addressed in this context. Any designation of NHAs is dependent on the amendment of the Wildlife Act, 1976.
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