Lough Hyne is an incredible natural area in west Cork. It was designated as Ireland's first marine natural reserve in 1981. However, it is unclear what resources are in place to protect and enhance this invaluable marine sea lough. I ask the Minister of State to outline the status of the site's conservation management plan and the systems to implement that plan.

It is fantastic to get a question on nature today as it is World Wildlife Day. We do not usually get them on oral questions. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Lough Hyne is a designated special area of conservation which is selected for three habitats listed in the habitats directive, as the Deputy is aware. These are large shallow inlets and bays, reefs and submerged or partially submerged sea caves. Detailed conservation objectives have been published for these habitats on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. The targets outlined help to guide appropriate management of the site.

My Department has been funding research to determine the cause of the decline of sponge communities in Lough Hyne since 2018. The precise cause has not yet been determined, though there are already encouraging signs of recovery of these sponges. Further research has been funded until 2027 and management measures will be put in place as and when the research indicates the appropriate steps to be taken.

As part of our Department's continuing commitment to protecting our heritage amenities, I continue to explore ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites in my care in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives. In 2017, a strategic partnership was established between my Department and Fáilte Ireland. A major output from this partnership was a master plan providing a high-level blueprint for the NPWS to invest in and better manage our parks and reserves network for conservation, biodiversity and visitor experiences alike.

I thank the Minister of State. As he will be aware, Lough Hyne is a natural site of incredible beauty with distinct ecological significance. As a marine sea lough, it sustains rich biodiversity. It needs to be protected. Although the Department and the NPWS have a conservation plan in place for Lough Hyne nature reserve, there is no visible evidence of on-the-ground measures or personnel to achieve that.

We were wondering if that is something that might happen. We note the reference that it is to be developed by Fáilte Ireland. Lough Hyne is similar to many of our spectacular natural areas which has to balance conservation and tourism. It has become especially popular with the increase in domestic tourism over the past two years. This has, of course, lead to a substantial increase in traffic with many cars parked on small country roads leading to the site. Residents are concerned about access for emergency services into their properties. What resources or guidance has the Minister of State in place to support county councils in this case in managing these types of matters?

I thank the Deputy for her questions. I will address the last question first.

Specifically on this World Wildlife Day 2022, we will be announcing some measures in the partnerships that we have with Fáilte Ireland in the management of our nature reserves. Throughout the Covid-19 period we have seen a very significant demand from the public to be out in nature. That has created great pressures on our nature reserves and on our national parks. It is something that we are conscious of and in which we have invested significantly, particularly in managing trails and walkways but the car parking issue is something that is altogether different. In some of our national parks we are trying to use sustainable mobility, be it shuttle buses etc., but it is a persistent problem.

On the question of the on-site activities having a potentially negative impact on Lough Hyne, we are working through our National Parks and Wildlife Service to have more staff on the ground. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, approved the appointment of additional conservation rangers, many of whom are now in place and that will significantly help in the day-to-day management of very important sites like this.

I thank the Minister of State for his answer.

A related issue is the status of the proposed natural heritage areas. There are 632 proposed natural heritage areas, including Garrylucas Bog near Kinsale about which I have spoken to the Minister of State before. The status of the proposed natural heritage area does not provide the same level of protection as an actual natural heritage area. I have been continually asking about Garrylucas and other sites and in the Minister of State's parliamentary question replies he refers to a review which always seems to be forthcoming. Can the Minister of State provide an update on the status of the reviewing process of natural heritage areas? I will push the Minister of State on the particular case of Garrylucas Bog, which badly needs the enhanced status.

We can certainly provide the Deputy with a specific response to that which I believe we have done previously in parliamentary questions. This is something that we have been working consistently hard on in respect of specific conservation measures for those sites. We can provide a response to the Deputy on that particular site.

I thank the Minister of State.