364. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) no longer send a representative to attend a committee (details supplied); and if the NPWS will send a representative to attend meetings in the future. [67783/26]

Howth Head SAC is not in the Department's ownership, Fingal  County Council, however, plays a very active role in working with landowners and managing the site.

While the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has no statutory obligation to attend committees of this nature, where resources allow, our participation is certainly beneficial to working in partnership, particularly as there is considerable experience and oversight available to ensure that any NPWS input is appropriate, informed, and consistent.

The NPWS has reviewed work priorities in this area, including attendance at this committee, and has already informed the Chair that they will return to the committee and appropriate sub-committee meetings, where time and capacity allows, once key vacant positions have been filled, which is expected shortly.