Vol. 518 No. 6
454 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to review the prohibition on sport shooting in national parks; and if her attention has been drawn to section 2, paragraph 5 of the Killarney National Park management plan which states that if any conflict arises between different objectives, nature conservation must be treated as the overriding one. [12815/00]
In November 1999, I requested the Heritage Council to carry out a review of the existing policy that prohibits sports shooting on State owned lands coming within my control. Such lands include national parks, nature reserves and other sites that are protected for wildlife conservation. I understand that the review will focus on shooting with rifles or shotguns, its main aims being to consider the implications of the current policy for the management of the land in relation to nature conservation, recreation and access, health and safety; to consider what issues need to be addressed in relation to hunting and the management of the land; and to report on international best practice in relation to hunting, conservation and the management of sites designated for nature conservation.
I await its findings and recommendations. I fully endorse the sentiment expressed in the Killarney National Park management plan; that if any conflict arises between different objectives, nature conservation must be treated as the over-riding one.
