National Park status

This response is posted for Dr Pat Whelan, UCC.

I believe that the original designation of the BNP as an IUCN category 2 protected area (i.e. National Park) is a problem for the preparation of the Management Plan. The fact that the Burren has been so modified by humans and their non-native livestock for such a long period and the fact that non-native livestock are required to maintain the desired biodiversity of this protected area means that it doesn’t fit comfortably within the criteria for designation as a National Park. This creates a conflict when trying to prepare a management plan that fulfils the typical criteria, expectations and functions of a national park. Managing any protected area isn’t easy but trying to apply the category 2 protected area standards makes it more difficult (square peg in a round hole).