Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a decision has been made on the inclusion of the curlew under the open seasons order for hunting in November 2011; the number of meetings that have taken place on this issue; if he has had held meetings with other Departments regarding the impact of their policies on the habitat of the curlew; if he has contacted other countries regarding their preservation policies in respect of the curlew; his plans to carry out an analysis of the number of curlews that will overwinter here; his preparation for a long-term strategy to rebuild the curlew population here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29567/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The curlew is red-listed as a globally threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2007. A recent survey published by BirdWatch Ireland indicated that, based on the results of a survey to find breeding curlews in counties Donegal and Mayo, the current number of breeding pairs in the State may have fallen to less than 200. However, there is a large influx of curlews into Ireland every winter and the winter numbers have not shown a parallel decline. Overwintering curlews are routinely monitored at many wetland sites through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey.

The cause of the decline in breeding is not clear. It is possible that the loss of habitat in upland areas, where afforestation, commercial peat-cutting and wind farm developments have taken place, is a factor in the decline of the species. It is also likely that the spread of forestry has boosted the number of foxes and grey crows, both very efficient predators of nests.

Under the Open Seasons Order the hunting of curlew is allowed in the month of November only. My Department is reviewing its inclusion on the shooting list in view of the steep decline in breeding curlews. My Department is also engaging in a process of consultations with relevant parties, and will consult the authorities in neighbouring countries, with a view to ascertaining the causes of the decline and putting appropriate measures in place.