Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The hen harrier is 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 has initiated the development of a threat response plan, TRP, under section 39 of SI 477 of 2011. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will carry out public consultation regarding 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.

An incentivising scheme known as the National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme was made available to landowners in certain SPAs to undertake measures above and beyond what is required in terms of compliance with legislation. This scheme is closed to new applicants and I understand the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has no plans to continue this scheme.

As for payments to farmers whose lands are in SPAs, the new green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, will provide for payments to farmers who undertake specific actions on their land to protect endangered bird species, including the hen harrier. Farmers whose land falls within the hen harrier SPAs will be able to apply for priority access to the new scheme when it opens. GLAS will provide for payments of up to €5,000 per annum to farmers who join the scheme.

The Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and I are well aware of the issues the Deputy has raised today that are faced by landowners in these areas, including issues relating to land values and afforestation approvals. There have been ongoing discussions between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the hen harriers. Last week, I met the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, on this issue again. I am familiar with the area Deputy O'Donovan represents, he has brought this matter to my attention several times and I believe the following point is of importance to him. Last week, we agreed that at the earliest possible date after the summer, which is next September, 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. If agreement can be reached, this would allow for a limited amount of afforestation approvals in this areas, which would be of major advantage to the people concerned in the relevant areas.

See this speech in context