Vol. 501 No. 6
330 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department has reviewed the extent of the special area of conservation on the River Inagh due to the fact original limits put on the order do not take in extensive areas up to the village of Inagh, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7046/99]
The boundary of the Inagh river proposed natural heritage area, NHA, was determined by an ecological survey carried out on 6 May 1993. This survey effectively identified the extent of lands with a special conservation value. Initially it was thought that the area would merit designation as a special area of conservation. However, after further evaluation, it is now under consideration for designation as an NHA only. I understand that the areas around the village of Inagh referred to by the Deputy were never under consideration for any ecological designation.
Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, is aware of a number of sites which groups wish to have extended to encompass additional lands. It is currently looking at those sites with a European interest. When these are completed, resources will be available to review the NHA boundaries. It may be some time before this becomes possible. However, it is unlikely that the area in question has sufficient ecological interest to attract a nature conservation designation.
