Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for the safeguarding of the proposed natural heritage area at Loughlinstown Wood by officials in his Department; the plans for meetings with other officials from Departments, agencies or local government in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35985/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas, including the area to which the Deputy refers. 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.