Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 683: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a wood and lake (details supplied) in County Laois are under the remit of his Department; if so, the steps his Department have taken to maintain the same area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3324/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough are State-owned nature reserves, managed by my Department, which undertakes routine management and maintenance works in the area.

With the support of funding from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Native Woodland Scheme works will begin shortly involving the replacement of non-native species with native species such as oak and the upgrading of paths for improved public access.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 684: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his position on the need to preserve the Liffey Valley in west County Dublin and north County Kildare as a permanent area of natural heritage protected from future development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3355/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 1357 of 30 January 2008 which noted that a special amenity area order for the Liffey Valley from Lucan Bridge to the city boundary was confirmed by the Minister on 8 March 1990. That order offers extensive protection to the area, under the planning code, from inappropriate development.

The Liffey Valley site is important because of the diversity of the habitats within the site, and for that reason, the area has been proposed as a Natural Heritage Area. It is also protected as such in the Local Authority Development Plans covering the area.