Waters and the wild get special protection

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley has outlined a number of wildlife areas to be protected as part of the Government’s programme to protect our natural heritage.

Speaking in advance of International Biodiversity Week, Mr Gormley said that already this year he has signed 32 ministerial orders protecting a diverse range of sites throughout the country, from coastal cliffs and islands to larger inland lakes.

“The area covered by these sites extends to over 20,000 hectares and within a matter of weeks I expect to be in a position to sign a further 20 orders. I am determined that this programme of site designation will continue throughout the rest of the year.”

This year is the International Year of Biodiversity and International Biodiversity Week takes place from Friday next to Sunday, May 30, and coincides with United Nations International Day for Biodiversity on Saturday.

“Biodiversity is a global matter but, in order to protect it, our efforts must begin at home,” said the minister.

“In recent years we have become more aware and more pro-active in protecting our biodiversity.

“Protecting our biodiversity is a complex matter but nonetheless some of our projects have had great success: the Golden Eagle Project, in spite of difficulties with poisoning, we have re-introduced Red Kites to Wicklow, Golden Eagles to Donegal and White Tailed Eagles to Kerry; we have provided new breeding ponds for the Natterjack Toad in Kerry; the numbers for the Peregrine Falcon are noted at an historic high; the Grey Partridge, which was near extinction, now has a viable population; bats are generally in good status and we have relocated red squirrels to the west in order to afford them protection from the grey squirrel,” said Mr Gormley.

Ireland, along with all other EU member states, has been engaged in ensuring the survival of natural heritage areas through a programme of site designations which all are part of a Europe-wide network of sites called Natura 2000.

Mr Gormley added: “I think it is remarkable that, while many of these sites are close to some of our major towns and cities, they have been able to remain as havens for our wildlife.

“This is a clear signal to me that the protection of our natural environment is not a cost to the economy but an essential, integral part of it.

“Dublin Bay, which has its very core a port which is vital to the commercial life of this city and indeed the whole country, has within it no less than four separate protected nature sites running to 4,400 hectares. It is an example of how we can get the balance right between the protection of our rich natural diversity while at the same time ensuring that our economy can prosper.”