Dr. Anita Donaghy:

We have carried out a bird sensitivity mapping project, which was partially funded by the wind energy sector, to identify areas of importance for birds. It was not intended to create no-go areas for wind energy development. Rather it highlighted areas where there are particular concentrations of important birds which are sensitive to wind farm development. That is one mapping project that we have. We have called for a forestry sensitivity mapping project. We have done some work towards that, but it really needs to be completed. It is a very important point that we need much more of this kind of mapped spatial information as a guide to developers, county councils and local authorities. Mapping projects of this kind are a very important tool. We have not done enough of them.