Mr. Brian Lucas:

I raised the matter of the natural heritage area network because I was asked a question by a Deputy. I responded to the question. In 2014, the Department published a review of the raised bog natural heritage area network and it has been in the public domain since that time. This is nothing new. The most comprehensive analysis ever done was completed of Ireland's raised bog resource, considering the 52 raised bog special areas of conservation, the 75 natural heritage areas, and 100 non-designated sites. This study was done on a scientific basis across the network, including special areas of conservation and non-designated sites. It was not a bog-by-bog comparison, and I cannot emphasise that strongly enough. It took in the entirety of Ireland's raised bog resource.

That was looked at to see whether it would be possible to get a better network in terms of restoration potential, a better network that could be restored and a better network in terms of meeting Ireland's national conservation target for raised bog. In terms of the review and the proposal for designation, I emphasise that what has come out of that review is only for the raised bog NHAs; it is not for SACs. I reiterate that it was not a bog-by-bog comparison-----