53 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the plans, if any, he has to enlarge and extend the work of the Wildlife Service. [15238/95]

The former Wildlife Service and the former National Parks Service were merged in 1990 to form the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In the past year the Government has decided that all functions and responsibilities in relation to wildlife as well as other heritage services should be transferred to my Department.

One of the most important functions of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is the conservation of certain protected species of wildlife and its habitat. This whole area of work is being extended by different directives emanating from the European Union. Statutory protection is being given to a number of representative ecosystems which include national parks, nature reserves, refuges for fauna and wildfowl sancturies. Special protection areas for wild birds and important wetland areas are also being designated. A programme of land acquisition has been drawn up targeted at acquiring additional wildlife habitat. Apart from a number of wildlife and habitat research surveys, a major research survey has been undertaken which will identify important habitats for wild animals and plants in an effort to ascertain whether they should be designated as natural heritage areas.