John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he intends to take to prevent the extinction of the freshwater pearl mussel, margaritifera durrovensis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3667/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recent report in a publication (details supplied) that a unique species of freshwater pearl mussel, margaritifera durovensis, found only on a short stretch of the River Nore, is facing extinction; the efforts that have been made to save this mussel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3587/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 170 together.

Freshwater pearl mussels of the genus margaritifera are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000. Designation of special areas of conservation, SACs, for margaritifera is also required by the EU habitats directive. Ireland has proposed 21 sites as candidate SACs for two sub-species of margaritifera, one being margaritifera durrovensis, which is confined to one stretch of the River Nore.

My Department is developing strategies to stabilise the population of this critically endangered sub-species. These consist of the development of a species action plan, a translocation programme, development of rehabilitation measures and the establishment of a captive breeding programme. With regard to the captive breeding programme, my Department, together with the Central Fisheries Board, is currently selecting a suitable fish hatchery to begin the breeding program for margaritifera durrovensis as a matter of urgency — the early stages in the life cycle of margaritifera being dependent on the presence of trout.

Advice is being obtained from a similar facility in Northern Ireland which has been successfully breeding margaritifera margaritifera for some years, in order to speed up the process of establishing a successful breeding program for magaritifera durrovensis. In addition, my Department will seek to ensure that the water quality requirements of this species are addressed by the river basin management plan. During 2005, my Department will also further develop the scientific basis for draft margaritifera water quality standards, on which work was initiated last year.