Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if it will be ensured that all proposed natural heritage areas are designated natural heritage areas. [33841/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas. 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 natural heritage area provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, they may be recognised in local authority development plans.