I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 63, 81 and 89 together.
My Department's Report on the Status of Habitats and Species in Ireland is the first comprehensive compilation of the status of those habitats, animals and plants in Ireland which have protected status under national and EU law. The Report highlights the pressures and threats that habitats and species face in Ireland including through peat cutting, overgrazing and undergrazing, pollution, unsustainable exploitation, and from alien species and recreational activity.
My Department is working with the relevant stakeholders to maintain and restore habitats and species, especially in Special Areas of Conservation, and to monitor and report on changes achieved. Ireland is currently moving from a phase of designation to one of more targeted management and protection. This requires the involvement of land owners, Government Departments, planning authorities and licensing agencies, research institutions and experts. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen Ireland's implementation of the Habitats Directive and this is reflected in significantly increased funding for my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2008.
Many significant policies and programmes are already in place to address the conclusions in this Report including, for example:
designation of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, respectively;
continued enforcement of the Habitats Regulations to protect SACs and SPAs;
protection of designated areas in County Development Plans and by planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála;
the Single Farm Payment scheme which removes incentives for overgrazing,
the application of Commonage Framework Plans to deliver appropriate grazing levels on commonages; and
the ban on drift netting of salmon.
We are tackling unsustainable grazing levels, especially in uplands and commonages and this will improve many of the habitats in unsatisfactory status. The phased ending of the derogation for domestic turf cutting on designated raised bogs will be important in conserving and restoring this important habitat. Further developments under the Water Framework Directive, the Nitrates Action Programme, and projects under the Water Services Investment Programme will improve the quality of many of the other habitats at risk and will improve the status of species such as the freshwater pearl mussel, otter and crayfish.
Cooperation and commitment will be required from the public as a whole, social partners and other Government Departments and agencies. I will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders in order to meet the major challenge we face, as demonstrated by the Report on the Status of Habitats and Species.
