Environment Minister Edwin Poots has spoke of the importance of Northern Ireland's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Minister was speaking as he opened the 11th Conference of the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which carried the theme 'Valuing our Environment: Diamonds in the Landscape'.

He said: "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty not only bring enjoyment and enhance well-being for our own communities, but they are a valuable resource on which to base and grow tourism.

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"Through partnerships with key stakeholders in managing these areas we can begin to realise the vision we want for our countryside and rural communities."

The conference coincided with the 60th anniversary of the 1949 GB National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

At the conference the Minister said that he looked forward to developing a model and drafting legislation for National Parks in Northern Ireland.

He said: "We need to think carefully, and debate fully, what a Northern Ireland National Park should be like. I believe the right model for National Parks is one that embraces environmental community and economic concerns.

"I expect the primary legislation to set out a framework for National Parks. This will include the criteria for identifying potential National Parks and a clear, rational process by which future Ministers will decide which area to designate. Designation of a National Park will be by secondary legislation."

(PR/JM)