Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
902. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department intends to integrate data on hen harrier winter roosts (details supplied) into databases in order to inform licensing decisions that are compliant with Irish and European Union environmental law; the reason for the delay in doing so to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17565/22]
View answerThe Department recognises its responsibilities regarding the conservation of Hen Harrier, and is fully engaged in the development of the Threat Response Plan, led by the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
We are supplied a High Likelihood of Nesting Areas (HLNAs) GIS layer from the NPWS, in order to underpin the application of its procedures developed to avoid disruption to breeding Hen Harrier within designated SPAs, arising from certain forestry operations. This GIS layer has in recent years incorporated data from the Hen Harrier EIP Project and its partner, the Golden Eagle Trust, subject to data confidentiality. The HLNA layer is fully integrated into iFORIS and the QGIS system used by Ecologists involved in assessing applications. This HLNA layer does not include information regarding Hen Harrier winter roosts.
The Department does not have data concerning the Hen Harrier winter roosting sites. On a case-by-case basis, where it becomes aware of the presence of a roost site, through referral responses from NPWS, submissions from third parties or other means, the Department attaches appropriate conditions to the licence and / or grant approval, if issued.
