Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1751. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has been a survey done on lands containing hen harrier where there are different levels of forestation growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63248/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (National Parks & Wildlife Service) oversee national hen harrier surveys every five years, taking in forest land, farmland and upland moorland. Annual surveys have also been undertaken in recent years under the auspices of the Hen Harrier Environmental Innovation Project (EIP), to measure the success of farm measures targeted at creating a more favourable habitat for breeding Hen Harrier. Occasional surveys have also been carried out by Coillte, to check the presence (or otherwise) of breeding birds during the restricted period 1st March to 15th August, inclusive.

The relationship between Hen Harrier and forests of different ages is well researched and is complex. Hen Harrier is a ground-nesting species in open moorland habitats but does utilise pre-thicket conifer forests, both for nesting and foraging. However, research indicates that this habitat is suboptimal compared to open moorland, in terms of breeding success. Furthermore, once the forest grows beyond pre-thicket stage and the canopy closes over, the area is no longer suitable for Hen Harrier breeding or foraging.