Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the terms of reference of the remit given to the steering group comprising representatives of the Forest Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte to examine the impact of forestry operations on the freshwater pearl mussel catchments areas and to draw up operational guidelines. [21512/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Forestry and Margaritifera Group was established last year to identify and address the potential impacts of forestry operations on the freshwater pearl mussel. It consists of a Steering Group and a Technical Working Group.

The terms of reference of the Technical Working Group are to produce agreed guidance for all relevant forestry operations which could affect Margaritifera populations in the rivers designated SAC for the species; the guidance to apply to all relevant forestry operations within those portions of the catchments of these rivers upstream of the Margaritifera populations.

The Working Group is currently finalising draft guidelines and these will be subject to a consultation process shortly.