Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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619. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed breakdown and a full disclosure on several matters relating to the curlew conservation programme in operation since 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6412/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Curlew Conservation Programme is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and therefore my colleague James Browne T.D., the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is best placed to answer your detailed questions 1-3. It is the case that my Department has supported the Curlew Conservation Programme financially, contributing a total of €321,000 during the period 2020-2023, but has had no involvement in the the running of the Programme.

Regarding questions 4 and 5, the restrictions regarding breeding Curlew entail the exclusion of afforestation anywhere within a 1.5 km radius buffer created around individual breeding sites, as identified by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS). Nationwide, this accounts for 138,444 hectares. This restriction applies equally to all Forest Types (FTs) available for support under the Afforestation Scheme. There is no difference between the native woodland-related FTs and (e.g.) the more commercially-orientated FT 11, involving conifers with a 20% broadleaf content. It is important to note that these buffers often include land that would not be eligible for afforestation for reasons other than Curlew, e.g. land that does not meet the requirements regarding soil type and fertility.

Regarding the balance between afforestation and conservation, Ireland's Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is subject to State Aid approval obtained from the European Commission. This approval contains a commitment that any afforestation under the programme “will be avoided on environmentally unsuitable sites. Afforestation will be adapted to environmental sensitivities, such as habitats and species (...... Breeding Curlew..... Annex I habitats)." In adopting requirements in relation the protection of threatened bird species, including the Curlew, my Department has balanced the need to fully align the licence application and assessment process for afforestation with both environmental legislation and the State Aid conditions underpinning the Forestry Programme.

Ireland’s Curlew breeding population has experienced a dramatic decline in recent decades. However, the strong uptake of the native woodland-related FTs under the current Forestry Programme, together with progress made in this area under previous programmes, has and is creating a solid basis for these trends to be reversed, as many of these young woodland ecosystems develop to a point whereby they meet the qualifying criteria for those Annex I habitats.

I am undertaking a midterm review of the Forestry Programme this year, conducted in consultation with stakeholders. I am acutely aware of the need to increase our levels of afforestation, but I am also conscious that any balance in this area must be achieved in a legally compliant, environmentally sustainable, and silviculturally appropriate manner. It remains the case that any such proposed changes resulting from this review must comply with EU State Aid rules.