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

I thank all of the Senators for a very interesting debate on this topic. It is one that all councillors will appreciate and many of the issues raised will resonate with them. The primary purpose of any review of national heritage areas must be with regard to nature conservation, in terms of maintaining bog habitats at, or restoring bog habitats to, a favourable conservation status. The area of any new proposed national heritage area network should contribute to the national conservation objective target area of a bog within special areas of conservation and national heritage area networks. Additional bog habitat in the national heritage area network would make a contribution to the overall objectives of the habitats directive to maintain or restore the habitat to favourable conservation status.

The Bill strikes a balance between the need to protect the environment, live up to our EU obligations and work with landowners and turf cutters on whose lives these obligations can have a very real impact. I must be conscious of the need to achieve this balance to maintain or restore a bog habitat to favourable conservation status and any national conservation objective target area for a bog habitat within the special areas of conservation and national heritage area networks. However, I understand the sentiments that have been expressed by Senators and the comments made by Senators Burke, Ó Céidigh, Daly and Hopkins on road projects. The N59 and the R336 have been debated in my county of Galway by the local authority for a long period of time. The community value that has been discussed is something I absolutely understand and it is fair to say there is need for a balance to be struck. I very much understand the sentiments expressed by Senators. Senator Norris is always welcome, as is any tourist, to Connemara. I will welcome him any time. It is an absolutely beautiful place.