Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Ceisteanna (210)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

210. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 26 February 2013, if he is satisfied that his Department has the necessary legal basis to restrict activities in proposed natural heritage areas when these areas have not been statutorily designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11926/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Designation of Natural Heritage Areas, NHA, is primarily within the remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Proposed NHAs were published on a non-statutory basis in 1995 and there are no mandatory farming conditions imposed on pNHAs.