Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policy on supporting stakeholders in the creation and maintenance of geoparks, such as the Burren and Cliffs of Moher geopark, in view of the environmental and economic benefits of this UN designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Department has a clear policy that supports the development and maintenance of Geoparks in Ireland through targeted activities of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI). GSI through its Irish Geoheritage Programme provides support including cofunding of geologists based in existing Geoparks, such as Copper Coast in Waterford, Burren and Cliffs of Moher in Clare and Marble Arch Caves which straddles the Cavan Fermanagh Border. In addition GSI has supported a geologist working in the developing Geopark area of Joyce's Country in County Galway. The GSI along with their equivalent organisation GSNI, host an annual Geopark Forum on an all island basis, with key stakeholders particularly from the tourism, heritage and local authority areas. The Department is very aware of the economic impact and potential of Geoparks and work closely with the Global Geoparks Network managed by UNESCO to ensure Ireland maximizes its opportunities in the area of geotourism and geoheritage, in which it has a great natural advantage due to the diverse nature of its geology.