Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position with respect to the SPA designation of hen harrier protected area and the afforestation programme as administered by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28393/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The 1979 Birds Directive requires each Member State of the European Union to classify suitable areas as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the protection of endangered species of bird, including the Hen Harrier. Ireland's suite of 6 SPAs for Hen Harrier were publicly proposed for designation in 2007 and, following the conclusion of a two stage appeals process, have all now been formally designated by Statutory Instrument. The 6 sites in question are the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Stack’s to Mullaghareirk Mountains-West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle, Mullaghanish to Mushermore Mountains, Sleivefelim to Silvermines Mountains, Slieve Aughty Mountains and Slieve Beagh.

Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive, which applies to SPAs, requires Member States to prevent the deterioration of these sites. Furthermore, public authorities may only consent to projects, including afforestation, where it is clear that such projects will not lead to an adverse impact on the integrity of the site. The issuing of consents for afforestation in these sites is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and must be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive.