Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Hen Harrieris a species of high conservation value listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, which provides a legislative framework for the conservation of the species. Six Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been designated under the Birds Directive for the protection of the species in Ireland.

Due to concerns raised by the European Commission regarding SPA management, and within the context of ongoing concern regarding the species itself, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have initiated the development of a Threat Response Plan (TRP) under Section 39 of S.I. 477 of 2011. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will carry out public consultation in relation to this plan which will set out measures necessary to preserve, maintain or re-establish a sufficient diversity and area of habitat for the species. It is intended that this plan will bring predictability and clarity to landowners about the future management of these sites.

The former Minister at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Minister Deenihan and I were well aware of the issues faced by landowners in these areas including issues around land values and afforestation approvals. There have been ongoing discussions between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Hen Harrier SPA’s. Recently my colleague Minister of State Tom Hayes met with Minister Deenihan on this issue and agreed that at the earliest possible date and following sufficient progress on the development of the Threat Response Plan, the two Departments will seek the Commission’s agreement to an interim approach to afforestation. As part of the process for developing the threat response plan the first meeting of the Inter-Departmental Steering Group on the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan is scheduled to take place at the end of July 2014.