Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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90. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to ensure that Garrylucas bog, County Cork is designated as a natural heritage area immediately. [3087/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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There are 632 proposed natural heritage areas in Ireland, including the area to which the Deputy refers.

Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the protection provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, they are taken into account in local and national land-use policy, agri-environmental farm planning schemes, and environmental assessments and they may also be recognised in local authority development plans.

While a review of these sites will take place in due course, 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.