Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farmers who have applied for forestry grants and were awaiting assessment of the possible effects of afforestation on the hen harrier habitats will be issued with a decision on their applications; the reason for the delay in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44408/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is currently developing a Threat Response Plan (TRP) for Hen Harrier, which is one of Ireland's rarest species of bird, and which is protected at a European level under the EU Birds Directive. As part of this process, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has established an inter-Departmental Steering Group, incorporating representatives from key Departments, to assist in the development of the Plan. The TRP is examining the impacts of various activities including forest development, agricultural intensification and wind farm development on the conservation of the species. I understand that the TRP will set out necessary measures for implementation within each of the three sectors to protect and conserve Hen Harrier and in doing so will bring clarity to farmers and other landowners about future land management activities, including afforestation, within the SPAs.