10 May 2006

Environment

Land Acquired for Wicklow National Park

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the lands which have been acquired by the State for the Wicklow National Park within the past five years; the address, area, price paid and date acquired in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche):

In March 2006 648.3 hectares (1,602 acres) at Luggala were acquired for Wicklow Mountains National Park by my Department for €1.725m. This was the first acquisition for the Park during the past five years. Over the years, the Government has pursued a policy of increasing the number and size of our National Parks where possible. This has resulted in a growth in the number of National Parks from one (Killarney) in 1972, to six at the present time. I believe that we should continue to enlarge the area of these Parks and particularly through the acquisition of adjacent habitat-rich lands as they become available.