§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the proposed designation of Strangford lough as a marine nature reserve from Strangford lough advisory co-ordinating council, Strangford lough nature conservation association, local farming organisations and others; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. NeedhamSince the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland announced its recommendation that Strangford lough should be designated as a marine nature reserve, the Department has received representations from a wide range of bodies including those referred to by the hon. Gentleman. Many of these representations have centred round the future management of the lough, rather than the designation of the marine nature reserve itself.
The Department will be issuing a consultative paper at the beginning of June setting out its thinking on the future management structure for the lough and on a marine nature reserve. The consultation paper will be circulated widely and officials will be arranging meetings at which they will further explain the proposals. The district councils, the Strangford lough advisory and co-ordinating committee, the Strangford Lough Nature Conservation Association, farming organisations and other relevant bodies will be included in the consultation process. I hope all those interested will take the opportunity to express their views in as positive a way as possible. Following consultation the Department will produce a document containing policies and proposals.