Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
287. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the rare habitats of Killarney National Park are being protected; the way in which sustainable development is being promoted in the larger Kerry biosphere reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43376/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraKillarney National Park was originally awarded UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status in 1982. In January 2013, UNESCO revised the criteria for Biosphere Reserve status. To meet criteria for UNESCO Biosphere reserves under Article 4 of the Seville Strategy, Kerry County Council with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department submitted a successful application extending the Killarney National Park UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to include areas hydrologically and ecologically connected to the existing Core Area. The newly defined UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is known as the Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The National Park forms the “Core Area” of the UNESCO Kerry Biosphere Reserve. While NPWS take the in lead with regard to the core area, Kerry County Council is the lead partner for the overall Biosphere Reserve which extends far beyond the National Park itself. The wider Biosphere areas are generally not in State ownership but are hydrologically linked and have habitat connectivity with the Core Area of the Biosphere (Killarney National Park).
In terms of actions undertaken in the wider Biosphere, Kerry County Council, is best placed to respond to the Deputy in terms of actions undertaken. The Council have, through the South Kerry Development Partnership, appointed a dedicated Biosphere Officer. One of the Biosphere Officer's first initiatives was to organise an Autumn Event Series in the Kerry Biosphere Reserve. During this event series, a strategic initiative was launched in partnership with UNESCO Kerry Biosphere Reserve, Creative Ireland Kerry and the EPA. “Our Plant, Your Biosphere” aimed to promote citizen well-being through arts and heritage engagement with the native habitats and species of the Kerry Biosphere Reserve and to raise awareness of the part we as stewards of the land play in protecting nature and biodiversity.
The MacGillycuddy Reeks European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Project aims to improve the sustainability and economic viability of farming in the MacGillycuddy Reeks. This will be done through the development of practical, achievable actions and innovative solutions in order to improve the condition of the habitats of this unique Natura 2000 area, in close conjunction with the landowners/farmers in the area. The MacGillycuddy Reeks Project is an EIP (European Innovation Partnership) Locally Led Scheme. The Project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. If you would like to find out more about our project please refer to: www.macgillycuddyreekskerry.com.
The Biosphere Officer has also begun engaging with local businesses to develop sustainable business partnerships in the Region and plans to develop a Business Charter are moving apace. The Biosphere Partnership is in its infancy and yet, despite the challenges presented by Covid 19, the Biosphere Officer has made considerable impact in respect of her outreach programmes. The Biosphere Officer is finalising a programme for 2021 and can be contacted at kerrybiosphere@skdp.net.
