Public Consultation on the Draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan, Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement

Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage and Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform have published the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan for consultation. The aim of the plan is to improve the long-term prospects for the species and to reduce, eliminate and prevent threats and pressures upon it. The draft Plan focuses on the three key pressures and threats arising from the agricultural, forestry and wind energy development sectors. The Draft Plan has been prepared pursuant to Regulation 39 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021 and this public consultation is being undertaken in line with the requirements of Regulation 21 therein.

Public Consultation under Regulation 13(1)(b) of the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (as amended by S.I. 200 of 2011)

In accordance with the European Union Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2001/42/EC) and the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (as amended by S.I. 200 of 2011), the draft Plan is accompanied by an SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary. This public consultation is being carried out in accordance with Regulation 13(1)(b) of these Regulations.

Public Consultation under Regulation 42A of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 293 of 2021)

An appropriate assessment is being conducted of the draft Plan by the Ecological Assessment Unit, as required under Regulation 42 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021. This public consultation is being carried out in accordance with Regulation 42(13) of these Regulations. The Ecological Assessment Unit shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during the public consultation and may subsequently determine that the plan shall, or shall not, adversely affect the integrity of a European site.

Members of the public are invited to make a submission or observation regarding the draft Plan; the SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary, and Natura Impact Statement, during the period from Friday January 12th 2024 to 5pm Tuesday 20th February 2024.

A copy of

• Draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan
• SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary
• EAU Screening for Appropriate Assessment
• EAU 42A5 Screening for Appropriate Assessment
• Natura Impact Statement
• Privacy Statement

are all available for public inspection online and at the 90 North King Street (Smithfield) offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin 7, during office hours (9.15 to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.15am to 5.15pm on Fridays, excluding public holidays) during the period from Friday January 12th 2024 until 5pm Tuesday 20th February 2024.

If you wish to view the documents in person, please email henharrierconsultation@npws.gov.ie or call (01) 8883242 and reference the consultation to make an appointment.

Submissions or observations in relation to the draft Plan and the SEA Environmental report and Non-Technical Summary

Submissions or observations in relation to the draft Plan and the SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary can be made either to henharrierconsultation@npws.gov.ie or by post to:

Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan Consultation

Agri-Ecology Unit

National Parks and Wildlife Service

90 North King Street

Smithfield

Dublin D07 N7CV.

These submissions and observations will be taken into consideration during the finalisation of the draft Plan and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Submissions or observations in relation to the Natura Impact Statement

Submissions or observations in relation to the Natura Impact Statement should be made directly to the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) of the National Parks and Wildlife Service either by email to EAU@npws.gov.ie or by post to:

Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan Consultation

Natura Impact Statement

Room 2.23 Ecological Assessment Unit

National Parks and Wildlife Service

90 North King Street

Smithfield

Dublin D07 N7CV.

These submissions will be considered by the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) and will inform a determination pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021.

Please note that submissions received may be made available on the Government’s website. See the Consultation’s Privacy Statement under the Documents link for further information.

All submissions and observations submitted to the Department for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2014. Submissions are also subject to Data Protection legislation.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission (other than your name and contact details). It will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Please note that all submissions and observations received may be made available on the Department’s website. In any event, all submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, and Data Protection legislation. See also the Privacy Statement below.

Submissions and observations will be considered in the finalisation of the Plan and the associated assessments, as outlined above.

Post consultation document and Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan