Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to find out the local authorities that have a biodiversity plan and a biodiversity officer and otherwise complied with the requirements of the national biodiversity plan; the steps he has taken to find out the relevant Government Departments and State agencies that have complied with their requirements under the national biodiversity plan; and the steps he has taken to ensure that all relevant local authorities, Government Departments and State agencies have implemented their actions under the national biodiversity plan. [14468/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps his Department has taken to develop guides to best practice with local authorities and other relevant bodies to safeguard biodiversity in accordance with its requirement under the national biodiversity plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 104 together.

While the production of a local biodiversity action plan is a matter for each local authority, my Department has initiated a number of actions to support this process. These have included circulation of guidelines on the production of local biodiversity action plans to all local authorities in March 2006, and organisation of a seminar in July 2006, at which some 31 local authorities were represented. My Department has also been working in cooperation with the Heritage Council to promote the development of local biodiversity action plans, and in 2007 allocated €300,000 for support in this regard. This funding has facilitated the development of action plans by 20 local authorities. I have also allocated €300,000 in 2008 as additional funding to support the implementation of these plans. Similarly, my Department circulated guidelines on the preparation of biodiversity action plans to all Government Departments in April 2005.

A comprehensive review of the status of implementation of all of the 91 actions contained in the National Biodiversity Plan was published in November 2005. All 91 actions are being reviewed and will be included, and continued, as appropriate in the new Biodiversity Plan now in preparation.