20/08/2012
National Parks Consultation Under Way
Member of the Ulster Farmers Union are meeting with environment minister Alex Attwood today to discuss whether or not Northern Ireland should have national parks.
Their meeting comes shortly after Mr Attwood's departmet identified the Mournes, the Causeway Coast, the Antrim Glens and the Fermanagh Lakelands as possible areas for national park designation.
The minister said in June he wanted NI – the only region in the UK that does not have any national parks - to have two of the highly protected areas.
Mr Attwood said he believed that now was the time for Northern Ireland legislation for national parks, and he would be circulating a paper to the executive recommending they endorsed the principle of national parks legislation.
The law being changed would allow the Department of the Environment to name areas as national parks, with a government-funded conservation and promotion body.
England has 10 national parks, Wales has three and Scotland has two.
(NE)
Their meeting comes shortly after Mr Attwood's departmet identified the Mournes, the Causeway Coast, the Antrim Glens and the Fermanagh Lakelands as possible areas for national park designation.
The minister said in June he wanted NI – the only region in the UK that does not have any national parks - to have two of the highly protected areas.
Mr Attwood said he believed that now was the time for Northern Ireland legislation for national parks, and he would be circulating a paper to the executive recommending they endorsed the principle of national parks legislation.
The law being changed would allow the Department of the Environment to name areas as national parks, with a government-funded conservation and promotion body.
England has 10 national parks, Wales has three and Scotland has two.
(NE)
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12 November 2013
National Parks Plan Shelved
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has said he will not be pushing for legislation to introduce national parks in Northern Ireland. He said: "I am of the view that the concept of national parks has much to offer Northern Ireland.
National Parks Plan Shelved
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has said he will not be pushing for legislation to introduce national parks in Northern Ireland. He said: "I am of the view that the concept of national parks has much to offer Northern Ireland.
20 June 2012
NI's First National Parks On Way
Three famously picturesque areas of Northern Ireland have been chosen as potential National Parks. Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced the shortlist of the Mourne Mountains, the Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens, and the Fermanagh Lakelands.
NI's First National Parks On Way
Three famously picturesque areas of Northern Ireland have been chosen as potential National Parks. Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced the shortlist of the Mourne Mountains, the Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens, and the Fermanagh Lakelands.
06 October 2004
Minister points the way for national parks
Environment Minister Angela Smith has announced the publication of a discussion paper on legislation for national parks and other protected landscape areas in Northern Ireland.
Minister points the way for national parks
Environment Minister Angela Smith has announced the publication of a discussion paper on legislation for national parks and other protected landscape areas in Northern Ireland.
22 August 2012
National Parks: Attwood Vs The Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union have come out against plans for national parks in Northern Ireland. It follows a meeting they had with Stormont's environment minister Alex Attwood earlier this week where they discussed his department's plans to set up two national parks in either the Cauesway Coast, the Fermangh Lakelands or the Mourne Mountains.
National Parks: Attwood Vs The Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union have come out against plans for national parks in Northern Ireland. It follows a meeting they had with Stormont's environment minister Alex Attwood earlier this week where they discussed his department's plans to set up two national parks in either the Cauesway Coast, the Fermangh Lakelands or the Mourne Mountains.
05 August 2013
Environment Minister Must Consider National Park - Lo
Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo has called for newly-appointed Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to consider the option of establishing a national park in Northern Ireland. "I was very disappointed by the efforts of the former Environment Minister Alex Attwood to the establishment of a national park in Northern Ireland," Ms Lo said.
Environment Minister Must Consider National Park - Lo
Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo has called for newly-appointed Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to consider the option of establishing a national park in Northern Ireland. "I was very disappointed by the efforts of the former Environment Minister Alex Attwood to the establishment of a national park in Northern Ireland," Ms Lo said.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.