Joe Higgins
Ceist:185 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the arrangements, if any, being made to designate the Blasket Islands as a national heritage area. [19814/98]
Written Answers. - Natural Heritage Areas.
The Blasket Islands have been proposed for designation as a natural heritage area, but formal designation must await the enactment of a Bill to amend the Wildlife Act, 1976. I hope to publish such a Bill before the end of this year.
Beginish, Inishabro, Inishtooskert, Inishvickillane, Tearaght Island, Thunder Rock and Fohish Rocks were designated as a special protection area under the EU Birds Directive in 1997.