Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Section 16(6) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 refers to special scientific interest in the process of proposing sites for designation as natural heritage areas under the Act. Section 16(6) is also specifically referred to in the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 as regards the criteria to be taken into account in selecting the most suitable bog habitats to be designated as natural heritage areas. In order that the selection process for the inclusion of sites in the reconfigured raised bog natural heritage area network adopted a sustainable approach, the selection criteria, while including the primary environmental and technical factors essential for raised bogs existence now and into the future, also include economic and social criteria.

The environment, technical, social and economic criteria used for the raised bog natural heritage area review were given equal weighting and in all categories the highest scores were given to the most favourable sites, which are those with the best existing environmental standing, the best restoration potential, the most socially appropriate and the most economically advantageous investments. At the same time, each site was examined by departmental staff from a nature conservation and management perspective to ensure that the final outcomes of the selection process were practical and achievable.

I would envisage that the undertaking of future reviews of blanket bog natural heritage areas would follow a similar sustainable approach in accordance with the previsions of the Wildlife (Amendment ) Bill 2016. That would include setting up terms of reference, environmental strategic assessment and providing for public consultation. There is no need, therefore, to specifically refer to section 16(6) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 among the criteria to be taken into account as referred to in this Bill when selecting the most suitable bog habitats to cease to be designated as natural heritage areas. These criteria are environmental criteria, restoration potential and national, regional and local economic and cultural needs.

Within the Bill the definition of environmental criteria has been carefully drafted and there is no need to refer to section 16(6) within it. I will, therefore, not accept the amendments.

I should have said earlier that I intend to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage on the conservation of biodiversity. In consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, I intend to table an amendment or amendments on Report Stage to a section within the Bill with respect to introducing a biodiversity duty, which would place a requirement on public bodies to embed biodiversity in carrying out their functions so as to promote the conservation of biodiversity.

Senators have rightly referred to the importance of biodiversity and nature conservation. The proposed introduction of this legislation follows on from the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 and the recent national biodiversity conference attended by the Minister, Deputy Madigan. The plan recognises that biodiversity can only be maintained or restored by complementary actions by a wide range of sectors, as decisions and actions have a profound influence upon the natural environment.