Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
473. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, given there is a strong view among the environmentalist community that different stages of afforestation in a particular area are of benefit to protected species, he, his Department or the Minister with responsibility for this area have any plans to run a pilot programme on such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29172/23]
View answerI understand that the Deputy's question may be referring to the hen harrier. The relationship between hen harrier and forests of different ages is well researched and is complex.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently preparing a hen harrier threat response plan. My department is represented on both the Inter-Departmental Group and the wider Consultative Committee. The hen harrier threat response plan is to synthesise the key scientific evidence for the Hen Harrier population decline, outline the views and concerns presented by the relevant sectors (including the forestry sector), and lay out a set of actions that address the identified issues, in order to improve the long-term prospects for the species.
I understand that external services have been contracted by the NPWS to support the strategic environmental assessment, appropriate assessment and public consultation on the draft hen harrier threat response plan. The statutory scoping stage for the Strategic Environmental Assessment closed on the 4th April 2023. Work on the Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement are ongoing. The timeline for completion of the Plan is the end of 2023.
