Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
322. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have examined with forestry and farming groups the idea of introducing a forestry management protocol covering special protection areas important to the hen harrier which will allow an annual quota of new plantings in the areas involved. [14857/18]
View answerI understand that the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan is nearing completion and is currently being refined by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in consultation with Departmental stakeholders. I also understand that the draft will shortly be circulated to the Consultative Committee (which includes representatives from across the relevant sectors, including the forestry sector) with a view to publication for public consultation after Easter.
My Department and the forestry sector representatives submitted separate proposals earlier in the process, relating to the management of the existing forest estate and the potential for compatible afforestation. These proposals, along with those from other sectors and stakeholders, have been considered, and the soon-to-be-released draft will create the basis for the next stage of the Threat Response Plan’s development.
