Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
376. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the National Parks and Wildlife Service has considered conducting updated ecological or geological surveys in the Murphy’s Rock area in light of evolving biodiversity mapping standards and climate resilience considerations. [36340/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the absence of updated ecological surveys in areas previously considered for designation presents any risk to the State’s biodiversity monitoring obligations under EU environmental law. [36345/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 381 together.
Under Article 11 of the EU Habitats Directive, Member States are required to undertake surveillance of the conservation status of habitats and species listed on the Directive. Under Article 17 of this Directive, Member States are obliged to report to the European Commission every six years on the conservation status outcomes.
Article 10 of the EU Birds Directive encourages Member States to carry out the necessary research, including monitoring-related activities to support the protection and management of bird species. Under Article 12 of this Directive, Member States are obliged to report to the European Commission every six years on the status and trends of bird populations, as well as the main threats, pressures, and conservation measures taken.
For both Directives, the frequency of monitoring depends on the ecology of the species or habitat in question, with long-lived or less vulnerable species and habitats requiring less frequent monitoring. Representative samples are monitored across the natural range of species and habitats, some of which may fall in areas previously considered for designation. Ireland submitted Article 17 (Habitats Directive) and Article 12 (Birds Directive) reports in fulfilment of our legal obligations in 2025.
The monitoring requirements of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) are set out in Article 20 of that regulation. Member States must monitor the effectiveness of restoration measures put in place to achieve the targets set out in the NRR, and the progress made towards those targets. Monitoring and reporting of the status of the habitats and species listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives will coincide with the reporting requirements of those Directives.
The primary focus of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is directed toward the fulfilment of these legal monitoring obligations.
