Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We tend to think of Asia, palm oil and deforestation, Latin America and the expansion of soya and the fears that many people have for the new Brazilian President in that regard. I commend the Government on the Dublin Bay biosphere. It has been reported that Howth Castle is to be sold. There is concern in my constituency that Howth peninsula, which has been a fantastic green lung for Howth, could be under threat as well. The Minister's Department can confer national park status on endangered wildlife areas. Will she consider taking such action in relation to Howth, to which there are approximately 1 million visitors annually? Everybody who comes to Dublin is told it is a wonderful place to visit and explore in terms of its green areas, wildlife and so on. National park status for Howth is, perhaps, the way we need to go in this regard closer to home.

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