Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I am glad to welcome to the House my old St. Brendan's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. He is aware of my interest in these matters.

I understand a range of different species, including primarily the Kerry spotted slug, whales, bats, otters, the natterjack toad, the pine martin, the red squirrel and others are under threat. It should be said, however, and I have noted this, that the endangered pine martin thrives in Killarney, as does the natterjack toad, in Dooks and Castlegregory, both on and off the golf courses. Some people thought they would be threatened by those beautiful courses, which are played on frequently by many visitors, but they have thrived. I am glad of that.

The concern is that while many of these species are unique to this country, they are now believed to be under pressure. The allegation is that they were not properly protected under old legislation and newer laws were not properly implemented, putting them at risk. That is my understanding. The European Court of Justice has ruled that Ireland has not been protecting its wildlife and habitats and, accordingly, I look forward to the Minister of State's response. I further understand the ruling was comprehensive in nature and I look forward to the Minister spelling out the consequences. I confess I have not seen the judgment but I look forward to hearing the Minister's view on it.

What, if any, monitoring system is in place regarding the various species alleged to be at risk and their breeding grounds? I understand there are some action plans in place covering the Irish hare and some other species. I look forward to hearing what further plans, if any, the Minister has in that regard.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Coghlan for raising what is an important matter to those of us in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

As a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Ireland published a national biodiversity plan in 2002 containing 91 actions aimed at securing the conservation, sustainable use and enhancement of biodiversity in Ireland. A key concept of the plan is that we all share responsibility for biodiversity, that it crosses into a number of Departments and that it needs cross-Border co-operation. I am happy to tell the House that an interim review of its implementation was carried out in 2005 and demonstrated that excellent progress had been made.

In January this year, my Department launched a public awareness campaign on biodiversity, entitled Notice Nature, to raise awareness of biodiversity issues among the general public and within the agriculture, tourism and construction sectors. It will promote action for the conservation of biodiversity. The campaign is also accompanied by a dedicated website, www.noticenature.ie, which gives information on biodiversity, the legislation, the policy governing biodiversity and, more importantly, the actions individuals and organisations can take that can assist in conserving biodiversity.

The national biodiversity plan specifically recognised the need for action to protect species of particular conservation concern. Four all-Ireland species action plans were published jointly with the Northern Ireland authorities in November 2005. Three more all-Ireland draft species action plans are in the process of interdepartmental consultation and these will be published during the course of 2007. Further plans are being prepared to cover other species such as the Kerry slug. It is intended that these also will be published in 2007.

The Irish hare action plan, for instance, identified the need for baseline data on the hare. The Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service is in the second year of a national survey with the final report due in July 2007. This will include a full assessment of the conservation status of both the Irish hare and the brown hare in Ireland.

My Department has also established a national bat monitoring programme, if Senators will forgive the pun. Five of the bat species found in Ireland are now covered under this annual programme. Additional surveys planned for 2007 will bring in the remaining species.

This work, along with additional proposals regarding marine species, will ensure Ireland meets the concerns raised in the ruling of the European Court in January of this year. My Department is committed to this area.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State confirm his first course of action will include the lesser horseshoe bat, which is so prevalent in my part of the country? I welcome the Minister's response and look forward to the surveys in 2007. Does the website the Minister mentioned contain the full judgment of the European Court and, if not, where would one obtain that?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My understanding, which I will confirm for the Senator, is that it contains the main rulings of the European Court. If there is any deficiency in terms of the information the Senator requires, my Department will be only too happy to supply it to him.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State.