Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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576. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to sell land holdings (details supplied) on the private market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28644/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The land in question is an integral part of the Ox Mountains Bogs Special Area of Conservation. It was acquired in 1993 by the OPW on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service from Coillte as the land is of considerable conservational significance. It is an example of a highland blanket bog and as such is given priority status on Annex I of the EU habitats Directive. The conservation value of the site is increased further by the presence of good examples of several other annexed habitats, including that of two threatened bird species. Therefore, there are no plans to sell such a significant land holding on the private market.