Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wild Bird Conservation.

John Connor

Question:

11 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of Article 4, annex 1, of the EC Directive 79/409/EC, on conservation of wild birds, the Irish Government are obliged to establish a network of special protection areas to conserve threatened species like the corncrake, the chough, the golden plover and merlin; if he will outline (1) the number and location of these special protection areas which have been set up under this directive and (2) the plans he has to establish new protection areas in 1992.

Mr. O'Donoghue

Under Article 4 of EC Directive 79/409, member states are obliged to establish a network of special protection areas for threatened species such as those mentioned by the Deputy. To date Ireland has classified 20 sites as special protection areas. These are as follows:

Cliffs of Moher	County Clare
Old Head of Kinsale	County Cork
Horn Head	County Donegal
North Bull Island	County Dublin
The Bill (northern island) and Light House (southern island), Rockabill Island	County Dublin
Rogerstown Estuary	County Dublin
Baldoyle Estuary	County Dublin
Great and Little Skellig Islands	County Kerry
Blasket Islands	County Kerry
Puffin Island	County Kerry
Tralee Bay	County Kerry
Lough Gill	County Kerry
Inishkea North Islands	County Mayo
Drumcliff Bay and lands at Finned, Ballygilgan and Lisadell townlands	County Sligo
Saltee Islands	County Wexford
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve	County Wexford
Lady's Island Lake	County Wexford
Inish and Sgarbheen Islands (Lady's Island Lake)	County Wexford
Raven Nature Reserve	County Wexford
Ballyteige Burrow Nature Reserve	County Wexford

None of these sites is designated specifically for the species mentioned but many of them inhabit some of the sites together with other species.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, Office of Public Works, in a joint arrangement with the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland, is having a scientific assessment carried out at present in order to establish and map the sites which would be most appropriate for designation under Article 4 of the Directive throughout the entire island. The assessment should be completed by mid-1992 and arrangements can then be made to proceed with designation commensurate with resources.

Pending completion of the scientific assessment, the National Parks and Wildlife Service intends to classify some areas of State foreshore which it is clear at this stage would merit such designation.

Mr. Connor

Notwithstanding what he has said about the designation of 20 areas, the Minister will be aware that there are at least 25 if not 30 areas which have been identified for many years as suitable sites. May I ask the Minister why there has been a delay in designating these other well identified areas? Perhaps he will be a little more specific on what exactly he will be doing in terms of designation in 1992.

Mr. O'Donoghue

The Deputy will be interested to hear that a list of 110 important bird areas in Ireland was supplied to the EC Commission in 1988 on the basis of the best information available at that time. That was a candidate list of potential special protected areas. It was not a finite list as survey work had not been completed at that time. Until the work was completed and the results analysed there existed a possibility of some sites being taken off the list and others being put on it. The joint project with the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland will undoubtedly provide a sound basis for future designation. Some areas may be taken off the list and other areas may be put on the list. I want to assure the Deputy that we are pursuing the matter on a joint venture basis with the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment who are very conscious of the importance of the matter.

Mr. Deasy

I want to point out to the Minister that the second species of bird referred to in the question, the chough, is being stoned to death. What worries me about the Minister's answer is that he referred to specific habitats and areas while what is really needed is the more widespread proliferation of birds such as the corncrake so that people will not have to travel to other counties to hear this bird. I understand that these birds can only be heard at present in parts of north County Donegal and perhaps remote parts of County Mayo. Can the Minister devise a scheme whereby these rare birds can be brought back into prominence on a nationwide basis and not just in specific reserves?

Mr. O'Donoghue

Unusually enough, the position is that the designation of a site as such would not be of assistance to the corncrake. Its survival is dependent on farming practices — for example, meadowing, etc. However, it is known that the Irish Wildbird Conservancy have launched a campaign to raise funds for the purchase of land important for this species in the Shannon callows, one of the five key areas for corncrakes. They are doing this in the hope of getting 50 per cent funding from the European Community. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department have agreed to a request from the Irish Wildbird Conservancy to assist in a nest finding exercise in the Moy catchment in County Mayo, which again is an important habitat for the species.

Mr. Deasy

I want to make a point in regard to wildlife in general. We passed a very sensitive Wildlife Act in 1976. Because of modern farming methods there has been a further deterioration in the variety and quantity of these rare species. Would the Minister consider updating the Wildlife Act as a matter of urgency?

Mr. O'Donoghue

My Department are extremely concerned about the protection of wildlife. I can assure the Deputy that we will keep the situation in relation to Irish wildlife under continuous review and will take whatever action is necessary at whatever time in order to protect Irish wildlife.

Mr. Connor

With regard to the Minister's comments on habitats for the corncrake and the importance of meadowing and grass harvesting practice to the survival of that species, I want to point out that the EC environmentally sensitive areas scheme would be invaluable if it was properly applied in this country. Can the Minister say if there is any liaison between his Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food — I understand they are the Department who will administer the scheme if it is ever properly applied in this country — in regard to this issue? What submissions have the Department of Finance made to the Department of Agriculture and Food or what submissions do they plan to make? What are the Department of Finance doing to ensure the implementation of the environmentally sensitive areas scheme as a matter of urgency?

Mr. O'Donoghue

The Deputy will be aware that that relates to a different issue altogether.

Mr. Connor

It is very germane to meadowing and other farming practices in the Shannon callows.

Mr. O'Donoghue

I can assure the Deputy that I will look into the matter immediately and consult with him afterwards.