Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on a project (details supplied) in County Clare which is working to save old Irish goats and if he has called on the relevant State agencies to play their part in the pro-active management of the broader population of feral goats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30098/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Goats are not a protected species under the Wildlife Acts and I do not have any statutory function in relation to the protection of these or other goats. However, my Department, together with the EU, Teagasc and the IFA, supports the BurrenLIFE Project (BLP) which is the first major farming for conservation project in the State.

The objective of the project is to develop a new model for sustainable agriculture in the Burren in order to conserve the habitats designated under the EU Habitats Directive. As part of its work within 20 'monitor' farms, the project is working with one local farmer to erect a secure 22 acre enclosure within which it is hoped that a breeding population of old Irish goats may be kept. This pilot project will not only support the conservation of the genetic resource, but will also monitor the impact of these feral goats on scrub and grasslands and examine their use as a 'conservation grazing' tool.

If successful, the breeding programme may be extended to other farms in the Burren. Protecting the old Irish goat is important from a number of perspectives including genetic heritage, cultural value, as well as the tourism and recreational potential, and with the support of Burren farmers, I would hope that this ancient breed may be protected for future generations to enjoy.