Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 17 concerns the natural heritage areas that are being considered for dedesignation and provides for an assessment of the potential for restoration of biodiversity. There has been an acknowledgement of the need for a new set of actions and perspectives on biodiversity, and I understand that some resources, albeit inadequate, have been allocated to work in respect of biodiversity. I do not want bogs to be proposed for dedesignation under this Bill when, under another framework, they would be strong candidates for restoration of biodiversity. I am trying to ensure bogs are not measured in the unsatisfactory, comparative way they are measured later in the Bill when they have potential for restoration. Even if biodiversity is not fully present now, they could make a future contribution to biodiversity.