Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 688: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the draft management plan for the Burren National Park to be published, in view of Clare County Council proceeding with an integrated plan to protect the environment of the Burren. [34096/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A new management planning process is being put in place on a phased basis for all six of our National Parks, including the Burren National Park. Management Plans have already been published for Wicklow Mountains and Killarney National Parks. Preliminary work on the Burren National Park Management Plan will begin this year with a view to publication during 2007.

My Department is in regular contact with Clare County Council regarding the Council's proposal for a major visitor management initiative in the wider Burren area, including the Burren National Park. The Council proposal, entitled "Environmental Protection of the Burren through Visitor Management Initiative", is expressly linked to the environmental protection of this unique and sensitive landscape and is being undertaken in partnership with a wide range of stakeholder groups including my Department.

My Department, has agreed to become a partner in this initiative and has committed €210,000 in capital funding over three years. This is in addition to the resources that will be expended by my Department directly on national monuments, nature conservation and National Park management in the area. My Department will also participate on the steering and advisory groups which will oversee this proposal.