Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for his passionate interest in Killarney National Park, an interest I share. The park is an extraordinary asset, one of the jewels in the crown. It is a requirement of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, which transposed the European habitats directive, that appropriate steps are taken to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats such as the old oak woodland in Killarney National Park. As members of Wicklow County Council, Senator Ross and I battled to save woodland.