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

Unfortunately, I cannot accept the amendment. A future review of a natural heritage area will not be carried out in a vacuum. It will involve public consultation and will not necessarily lead to proposals for the dedesignation of natural heritage area sites. There are principles and criteria in the Bill to guide the Minister in conducting a review and making decisions such as carrying out a strategic environmental assessment or a public consultation linking the achievement of nature conservation objectives for bog habitats to a favourable conservation status. As set out in the Bill, at the heart of any future review will be nature conservation in respect of maintaining bog habitats at a favourable conservation status or restoring them thereto.I believe there is enough protection in terms of the requirements for public consultation and strategic environmental assessment not to accept the amendment, as suggested.