Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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15. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the engagement that her Department has had with landowners of designated lands for the protection of habitat for the hen harrier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16722/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An Inter-Departmental Steering Group is working on a Threat Response Plan, which is intended to improve the prospects for the Hen Harrier, while bringing clarity to wider issues of concern for landowners and farmers. The Group will examine all of the issues at hand, including forestry consents, planning permissions for wind farms and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. The Threat Response Plan will be key in ensuring the long-term conservation of the Hen Harrier.

As part of this process, I have established a wider Consultative Committee which includes representation from the sectors likely to be affected by the outcomes of the Plan, including farming, forestry and wind energy, as well as non-governmental organisations. Through the Consultative Committee, the views of those affected will be sought and incorporated into the work of the Steering Group. The first joint meeting of the Committee and the Inter-Departmental Steering Group was convened last month and I understand that there was a constructive exchange of ideas at this meeting. While I am anxious that progress is made on the development of the Threat Response Plan, the parties are being afforded some time to consider the first Sectoral Report (Forestry) in advance of the next meeting in May. It is also expected that the second Sectoral Report (Agriculture) will be provided for consideration in advance of the meeting.