Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure the survival of the freshwater pearl mussel species; the number of these mussels there are here; the percentage of the global total of this species is calculated as being here; and if additional resources are being provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that this species is protected. [23975/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department recently published a Report on the Status of Habitats and Species in Ireland. This is the first comprehensive report on the status of those habitats, animals and plants in Ireland which have protected status under the Habitats Directive and relevant national law, and it includes details in regard to the freshwater pearl mussel. The Irish population of the freshwater pearl mussel is currently estimated at 12 million individuals, which is believed to represent some 46% of the European Union population (global figures are not available to my Department). However the freshwater pearl mussel status was assessed as bad, because of very poor breeding success and recent kills.

There are a number of measures underway to protect the freshwater pearl mussel. 19 sites have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for this species and these sites contain about 85% of the known population.

I will be making Regulations later this year prescribing water quality objectives for freshwater pearl mussel rivers. Given the extreme threat to this species, my Department is also funding a programme of captive breeding in several locations and has provided additional resources to protect the species. I am funding an intensive programme of work, as part of the development of River Basin Catchment Plans required under the Water Framework Directive, to identify and develop responses to the threats to the pearl mussel in all SACs selected for this species. The Regulations will then require that programmes and measures are put in place to protect this species.

My Department worked closely with the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on requirements for forestry management in the catchments of pearl mussel rivers, which were published earlier in 2008. My Department also advises local authorities in relation to planning or development proposals in or adjacent to SACs which might impact upon the species.