Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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393. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider the development of a national park at the Blackstairs Mountains in south Leinster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28757/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) my Department manages an extensive network of natural heritage sites including 8 National Parks.

Our National Parks are state-owned lands, managed for nature conservation by the NPWS, or in some cases, the NPWS along with other public authorities, with a significant degree of sustainable visitor access and engagement. The NPWS does not own or manage any lands within the Blackstairs Mountains, where most of the uplands are peatland habitats held in commonage by local farmers. The Blackstairs Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC), however, for the protection of the qualifying interest habitats wet heath, dry heath and also a small area of alluvial woodland, does provide a high degree of nature conservation protection and local NPWS staff actively monitor the SAC for potentially damaging activities including illegal fires and scrambler and quad bike use.

As set out in the Programme for Government, I recognise the importance of continuing to support the ongoing expansion and resourcing of our National Parks. To this end, the NPWS occasionally purchases land for strategic and conservation purposes where suitable land at a reasonable price, and providing strategic value to habitat conservation or public access, becomes available. Such acquisitions are always carefully considered on a case by case basis and in line with public procurement requirements. In light of the commercial sensitivity and the strategic implications of bringing these considerations into the public domain, I would not comment on any individual site that is offered for sale.