Seanad debates

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

10:30 am

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague, Senator Byrne, on the issue of minor works for national schools. There should be an annual payment for that to national schools because they are short of funding to carry out small works such as replacing light bulbs, broken windows and so forth.

I raise an issue that was brought to my attention recently but first I welcome the doubling of the acreage at the national park in Ballycroy, County Mayo, which will be a wonderful tourism asset to both County Mayo and Ireland. The park is bigger than Killarney National Park and almost as big as Wicklow Mountains National Park. Great credit is due to the Office of Public Works and to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the outstanding work they have carried out.

I have asked the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to investigate areas where it felt displacement of species has taken place because of developments throughout the country. It was brought to my attention that one objection to the erection of a wind farm in County Mayo concerned the displacement of the red grouse. Some of the farmers in that area have told me that the red grouse are resting under the propellers of the wind farm. I would like the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to investigate that, along with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. We have had many objections over the years to wind farms, road works and major developments throughout the country because of the displacement of various species, be they birds, snails or whatever. The Department should carry out an investigation now, draw up a report into the displacement of such species and determine whether they have returned after the developments have been completed or what is the position in that regard.

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