Failure to protect habitats of rare and endangered wild bird species

24 July, 2003

In an announcement entirely ignored by the Irish media, the European Commission has sent three further final warnings to Ireland about its failure to protect habitats and species.

The reason it was ignored is probably that this is the umpteenth warning issued by the EC, most are ignored, no financial penalties are levied and things proceed as if nothing had happened. Local authorities have make no effort to promote, never mind even sigpost SPAs. The public awareness of SPAs is for all practical purposes zero.

One written warning concerns the continuing failure of Ireland to meet its obligations under the Wild Birds Directive to protect the habitats of rare and endangered wild bird species such as the Corncrake, the Chough and the Hen Harrier. In terms of the percentage of national territory covered, Ireland currently has the second smallest network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated in the EU . National legislation and SPA conservation practice in Ireland is also unsatisfactory.

A second written warning concerns weaknesses in Ireland's implementation of the Habitats Directive (SACs) with regard to protected species, such as cetaceans and bats. The Commission considers that Ireland is not doing enough to safeguard the breeding and resting places of such species, and that the relevant Irish legislation is not strict enough.

The third written warning concerns weaknesses in Ireland's legislation with regard to recreational activities that may adversely affect sites protected under the Habitats Directive (such as the use of quad bikes on fragile peatlands). Irish legislation lacks adequate provisions to deal with such environmental pressures.