Freshwater pearl mussel designation
Michael Moynihan asked that the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill rely on proper scientific evidence and remove an allegedly unjustified freshwater pearl mussel designation in the upper Blackwater area. The Taoiseach agreed to follow up in writing.
Under the wildlife (amendment) Bill proposed by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the freshwater pearl mussel should also be included for de-designation. It was designated in the upper Blackwater region of County Cork, but it has transpired, according to scientists in the Department, that it should not have been designated in the first instance.
I ask the Taoiseach, with respect to the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, to make sure there is proper scientific evidence for any proposed designated area, and that the regions that were designated heretofore will be undesignated or de-designated.
