Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when, in view of the recent Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government decision to designate hen harrier special protection areas, approval will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14036/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The site in question is in an area which the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has identified as one of a number of areas around the country which are important for the survival of the Hen Harrier, which is a protected species. The European Commission had expressed the gravest concern at any further planting within these areas until it was possible to fully assess the impact of forestry on the species. In order to do that, it was necessary to work out what type of management regime needed to be put in place to accommodate both forestry and the hen harrier in the areas being proposed as Special Protection Areas.

This regime has now been agreed and a key component is the complete preservation of areas of heath-bog which have been shown to be of critical importance to the survival of the bird. The site in question appears to be completely heath-bog habitat, as defined by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service cannot approve an application to establish a forest here. My Department has written to the person in question to formally notify him of the decision in this matter. It is open to the person in question to appeal this decision and any such appeal should be addressed to the Appeals Unit of the Forest Service of my Department at Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford.