Inland Fisheries

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Questions (395)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

395. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 27 January 2026 and Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 18 February 2026 if a qualifying interest SAC species is declining and failing to meet its detailed site-specific conservation objectives, if he will consider that an appropriate threshold point to draw up an SAC management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to the reply to Question No. 620 of 27 January 2026 and Question No. 200 of 18 February 2026.

As previously stated, there is no commitment to the publication of individual conservation plans for each SAC in Ireland. Conservation Measures are identified in response to threats and pressures affecting the qualifying interests of the site, and are aimed to support achievement of site specific conservation objectives. There are a number of conservation measures in place, in progress and planned for habitats and species across the SAC network.

Many of these are being delivered by landowners who are participating in schemes and programmes such as Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) under the CAP Strategic Plan, European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Scheme, NPWS Farm Plan Scheme and the LIFE programme. Participation in these is voluntary and landowner involvement is essential for their successful design and implementation at site level.