The difficulties faced by Limerick landowners and farmers in areas of conservation which are designated to protect the habitat of the Hen Harrier was raised in the Dáil by Deputy Patrick O’Donovan. The Limerick TD raised the issue during questions to the Minister for Agriculture.
Patrick O’Donovan said that he knew of landowners in Limerick who were facing serious difficulties because of issues associated with designation and he asked that the Department of Agriculture to establish a working group with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Forestry Service and representatives of landowners together with other interested groups to discuss the current difficulties and to discuss solutions for the effected landowners.
Replying to Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State Tom Hayes accepted that there are problems for the landowners concerned. He said that he was aware of the issue having visited some of the effected areas with Patrick O’Donovan and said that while the State needed to protect the habitat it also needed to engage with the people who are impacted with the designation. He told Patrick O’Donovan that he would assist in arranging discussions on the matter. He said that he had a particular interest in the issue as the designation has consequences for forestry plantations.
Having raised the issue again in the Dáil Patrick O’Donovan said he would be asking Ministers Simon Coveney and Jimmy Deenihan to convene discussions on the issue as soon as possible and to include the representatives of those whose land is within the designated areas.