Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We as a member state take our role very seriously under the birds and the habitats directives. We have to report back regularly to the Commission on the steps we are taking to protect birds. As far as I am concerned, we are doing everything we can. Europe is home to more than 500 wild bird species, but 32% of them are not in a good conservation status. The birds directive, which came into force in 1979, aims to protect them, in so far as we can, particularly the wild species which naturally occur in the EU.