Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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610. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the relationship between the Heritage Council and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, DBDC, in view of the announcement of the new biodiversity charter; if the Heritage Council plans to establish a new service level agreement with the NBDC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10501/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Since its inception, the Heritage Council has invested considerable resources in the establishment and development of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC). The Council places great value on the work carried out by the NBDC and its staff.

This work is of national and international significance and helps strengthen our understanding of biodiversity issues and provides valuable data to inform our efforts in tackling the on-going threats to our habitats and species.

I understand that the Heritage Council is committed to  the  finalisation of  an extension of the existing service level agreement with the NBDC as a matter of priority.A new service level agreement subsequent to this will be shaped by the outcomes of  a review of its structures and this review will take place during 2019.

The Heritage Council is fully committed to building on its investment in the NBDC and ensuring its sustainable future.