Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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335. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will make an order designating the Curragh Plains as a natural heritage area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10339/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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There are 632 proposed natural heritage areas including the Curragh (Kildare).

While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas.

Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the protection provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, they may be recognised in local authority development plans.