Vol. 483 No. 5
66 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on reports that there is a serious decline in certain species of wildlife; and if she will devise a strategy to offset this decline. [20802/97]
In the case of some groups of wildlife species, reviews of their conservation status have been carried out and it is known that, while for many species their conservation status is satisfactory, there are a number of species which are in decline, some of them seriously. In the case of some further species, there are indications or grounds to suspect that they may be in decline, but the knowledge base available to assess the true situation is less than adequate.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a range of measures already in place, including a small number targeted at specific threatened species, which should help to halt or reverse the decline of wildlife species. However, I believe that the situation is less than satisfactory, both with regard to the state of knowledge available and to the taking of specific actions aimed at improving the conservation status of species, particularly those species which are in serious decline. The national biodiversity plan, which is being prepared by my Department, will aim to address these issues and, in the elaboration of a strategy for species conservation in that plan, serious consideration is being given to the necessity for drawing up specific action plans for threatened species.
With regard to the biodiversity plan in general, the Deputy may wish to refer to my reply to Question No. 13.
