Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on a query (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37360/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The correspondence received is being dealt with and a written reply will issue to the Deputy this week.

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are long term tenants of Lough Inch and the area contained within the embankment. The area is being managed for the conservation of breeding terns and wintering waterfowl. This site has the potential to become a flagship conservation site in Donegal. It is planned to provide facilities for visitors including bird hides, walks and car parks, and to encourage interest from organised groups of bird watchers and school groups.

There has been traditionally some wildfowling on the site, which has not had a significant conservation impact. NPWS have made contact with the National Association of Regional Game Councils and on foot of this four local gun clubs are being permitted limited shooting: namely Burt, Inch, Aileach, and Faughan. These clubs have formed a parent body — Inch Wildfowling Club with which a protocol has been agreed for limited shooting.

Discussions are also taking place with two other clubs, where a submission about their traditional usage, will be evaluated at the close of this shooting season. In the meantime these have also agreed to abide by the protocol and will not shoot on Inch Lake.