Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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720. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to establish a body to replace the Wildlife Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15552/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The legal basis for the Wildlife Advisory Council was contained in the Wildlife Act 1976. The relevant section, Section 13 (Wildlife Advisory Council), of the Act was repealed by Section 4 of the Heritage Act 1995.  The Wildlife Advisory Council Order, 1978 (S.I No.79 of 1978) made under Section 13 then ceased to have effect on repeal of the section.

The Heritage Act 1995 established the Heritage Council and following its establishment, references to the Wildlife Advisory Council, as well as the National Monuments Advisory Council and the Historic Monuments Council, in any enactment or instrument made thereunder shall, where appropriate, be construed as references to the Council.

The functions of the Heritage Council include the proposal of policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage, including monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks and inland waterways.

I have no plans at this time to establish another body to carry out these functions.