Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 8 October 2008, the restrictions which are placed on proposed natural heritage areas; if, in view of his reply, he will remove the proposal to designate these lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35913/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are formally designated by Statutory Instrument under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Proposed NHAs (pNHAs), have yet to be legally designated and as such are not protected under the Wildlife Acts. However, they may be afforded some protection under the Planning and Development Acts where their ecological value is recognised in the Development Plan of the relevant planning authority.

Proposed restrictions on pNHAs under the Wildlife Acts will vary depending on the habitat type, species or geological feature to be protected. Some pNHAs are very small in area, such as a roosting place. Others are large such as a blanket bog or lake. Several hundred sites are currently proposed for designation as NHAs countrywide. These sites include a very diverse range of habitats, animals and plants.

I have no plans to remove the proposed designation of these sites as NHAs.