Review of the eu biodiversity strategy to 2020

Ireland

EU Target or Action	EU Target 1 (Please note that information from Member States in relation to Action 1a is supplied to the European Commission via other reports. To avoid duplication of reporting, information relating to Action 1a has not been included in this report)
Action 1b: Natura 2000 (and other protected areas)	Both the transposition of the Habitats Directive into the Planning and Development Act 2010 and the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 are under ongoing review. DAHG continues to draft amendments further supporting implementation and enforcement, clarifying administrative procedures and related issues that have arisen in the course of operation. It has not been possible due to staffing constraints to commence a full review of the Wildlife Acts. In 2014 NPWS commissioned Invasive Species Risk Assessments on species known to be traded which are listed in the Third Schedule to the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, to enable commencement of Regulation 50 of the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
	The provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2010 Part XAB, the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 ensure that both plans and individual projects are compliant with the Habitat and Birds Directives. The DECLG is the competent authority in executing the Planning and Development Act and DAHG the statutory consultee in relation to plans or projects that may impact on Natura 2000 sites and species
	While some dedicated Local Biodiversity Plans are being produced, most recently in Co. Clare, biodiversity actions by the local authorities generally have been incorporated into the Heritage Plan process. Heritage Plans were produced by 29 local authorities since the start of 2000, usually with an operational period of four or five years. There are 10 Heritage Plans that are current for 2014 and subsequent years, but many local authorities still use the older Heritage Plan as the framework for progressing heritage (including biodiversity) actions. Local authorities that have current Heritage Plans are Clare, South Dublin, Fingal, Galway (county), Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, South Tipperary and Wicklow
	Positive incentive measures have been included in the draft new rural development programme (RDP) which is currently awaiting Commission approval. A Strategic environmental assessment and an appropriate assessment have been carried out on the draft programme to ensure there are no adverse effects on biodiversity from the measures when implemented. The draft RDP includes provision for the continuation and expansion of the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme (see action 5.06). The AranLIFE project, funded by the EU LIFE+ funding programme (75%) and DAHG, Teagasc, The Heritage Council, DAFM, Galway Co. Council and Fáilte Ireland (25%), is a demonstration project operating on three Aran Islands from 2014-2017. It will seek to develop and demonstrate the best conservation management practices of local farmers on the designated Natura 2000 sites. Specifically, farm management plans detailing grazing practices, field access, scrub control, access to water for stock and grassland nutrient management will be developed for ca. 70 farms. The Natterjack Toad Scheme continues to pay farmers in Co. Kerry to provide pond habitat for the expansion of the toad’s range and population. The European Parliament has endorsed the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). With a budget of €6.5 billion for 2014-2020, the fund will finance projects to implement the new reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and provide financial support to fishermen, fish farmers and coastal communities to adapt to the changed rules. The Fund will also finance projects to boost 'blue' growth and jobs under the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). The new EMFF will provide investment and funding opportunities to help reduce the impact of fisheries on the marine environment and to rebuild fish stocks. The fund will also help eliminate discarding practices – a key aspect of the new policy. It will also assist the coordination of the Integrated Maritime Policy. Funding will focus on initiatives that benefit multiple sectors such as maritime spatial planning, integrated maritime surveillance and marine knowledge. The Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine is the consenting authority in relation to the main forestry operations of afforestation, forest road construction, thinning, clearfelling and replanting, and the aerial fertilisation of forests. Through core forestry legislation and related environmental legislation (e.g. national legislation transposing the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive), the Forest Service assesses the environmental impact of any particular proposal and will only issue consent where that proposal is compatible with the protection of the environment. This is achieved through a system of GIS-based and field inspections, the application of AA Screening and screening for EIS, referral with statutory consultees, the application of various mandatory 'guidelines', requirements and protocols, and the attachment of environmental conditions to any licence or consent issued, as required. Various measures are also in place to actively promote biodiversity, ranging from the necessity to include 15% Areas of Biodiversity Enhancement within all new afforestation projects, to the development and implementation of the Native Woodland Scheme, a specific Forest Service funding package developed in partnership with NPWS, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Woodlands of Ireland and others, and aimed specifically at protecting, enhancing and expanding native woodland and the delivery of associated eco-system services (see 5.07).
	The Forestry Act was passed into law on the 26 October, 2014. Once commenced, the Forestry Act 2014 (Act No. 31 of 2014) will replace the current 1946 Forestry Act. The primary purpose of the Act is to reform and update the legislative framework relating to forestry and to support the development of a modern forest sector, which operates in accordance with good forest practice and with a view to the protection of the environment. The Act sets out the specific role of Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in safeguarding the environment; includes overarching provisions relating to the protection of the environment; integrates the requirements and procedures under the EIA Directive, the Birds and Habitats Directives, and the Water Framework Directive; creates greater flexibility to the Minister in term of attaching environmental conditions to an approval or licence, and enforcing those conditions; and enables the Minister to produce supplementary regulations, if needed to give effect to the principles and policies set down in the Act, under various headings, including " (y) protection of the environment, habitats and biodiversity; A number of provisions are included (under Sections 5, 7, 11, and 30) which are designed to integrate the protection of the environment and associated legal requirements under various relevant EU Directives and transposing national legislation into the central decision-making processes regarding the granting of approvals and licences etc. by the Department.
	The Water Framework Directive National Monitoring Program is in place. Water Framework Directive Programs of Measures project ongoing which is aimed at standardising WFD data and getting it into a common information system for management. New governance arrangements are almost finalised. The Water Framework Directive Governance is being reconsidered with the potential that the responsibilities between DECLG, EPA and LAs would be revised for 2nd cycle of RBM planning. Implementation of cycle 1 Programmes of Measures by DECLG is ongoing. Preparations for the second cycle of river basin management planning is underway. New governance arrangements are being put in place and a work programme for delivery of new RBMPs will be published for public consultation in June 2014.
	Licensing of waste water regime is now in place and septic tank inspections are being carried out with a target of 1,000 risk-based inspections p.a. Ireland's 3rd Nitrates Action Programme was given legal effect in January by the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014. Implementation is on-going. It will be reviewed by end 2017 as required by the Nitrates Directive.
	A Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) framework is being developed which will guide the selection of options to manage flood risk. This MCA will be used for the options appraisal phase in 2015 as a component of the flood risk management plans and will account for environmental objectives including habitats and species in tandem with technical, social and economic objectives.
	The OPW are continuing to ensure that all significant drainage, including both initial drainage and maintenance drainage, is assessed for its implications for biodiversity and particularly for wetlands. Under the national Environmental River Enhancement Programme 2013-2017, fisheries type enhancement works are carried out on a series of arterial drainage channels annually. These enhancement works create a more natural and diverse channel form which benefits not only fish, but the broader biodiversity of the river corridor.
	The draft National Peatlands Strategy was issued for public consultation in 2014. DAHG is currently examining the submissions received, which number over 1,500 to date. The Peatlands Council and the Peatlands Strategy Implementation Group will advise on changes to the draft Strategy in advance of its submission to Government for adoption and aim for publication early in 2015. See also action 1.14 above.
	Informed by the draft Action plans developed by BirdWatch Ireland, identify and implement a suite of agreed measures for the protection of categories of endangered bird species in the wider countryside. This will be delivered through the engagement and participation of all relevant stake-holders across the public, private and voluntary sectors. These draft Action Plans are under review in the context of the proposed Rural Development Plan.
	Provide and implement guidelines for local authorities and other planning bodies on the protection of species listed in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive Guidelines have been drafted but require finalisation and circulation
Action 1c: Natura 2000 (and other protected areas)	Detailed site-specific conservation objectives have been published for 65 SACs and 32 SPAs, mainly coastal and marine sites. A draft National Peatlands Strategy, Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and Review of the Raised Bog NHAs were published in early 2014. Part of the approach is that Site-specific management plans will be put in place for all Raised Bog SACs and the intention is that this will be the case for Raised Bog NHAs in the future. No full management plans have been completed
	The Prioritised Action Framework for Natura 2000 establishing conservation priorities for the next financial cycle (2014-2020) has been approved by Government and submitted to the EU. Since 2011, five EU Life projects have been successfully funded such as the Aran LIFE and Burren GeoparkLIFE projects, the LIFE Kerry Freshwater Pearl mussel conservation project (commenced in 2014) and the Raptor LIFE project focussing on connecting and restoring habitats for Hen Harrier, Merlin, Atlantic salmon and Brook Lamprey
Action 1d: Natura 2000 (and other protected areas)	There are frequent meetings on policy and technical issues between the relevant Departments/Agencies in both jurisdictions. Recent meetings have focussed on the potential for joint approaches for cross border conservation management programmes
Action 3a: Stakeholder awareness and enforcement	Notice Nature is Ireland's public awareness campaign on biodiversity The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to encourage everyone to play their part in its protection. This website links to other important initiatives such as the Green Schools Programme and the National Parks and Wildlife Service education centres. The national biodiversity forum was re-established in 2014 and includes environmental NGOs and landowners. Data link: www.noticenature.ie
Action 3b: Stakeholder awareness and enforcement	The National SEA Forum has been established with all five environmental authorities (DAHG, DECLG, DAFM, DCENR, EPA) represented, with regional SEA/AA Fora established in association with the regional authorities. Fora meet annually with the full participation of local authorities in each region. The SEA Effectiveness Review and Action Plan was published in 2012, indicating that implementing legislation in Ireland is broadly appropriate and no significant difficulties arose with interpretation to date that would warrant substantial changes. In 2013, the EPA compiled and published a SEA Pack which provided guidance, checklists and reference material for use in the SEA and Plan making process, as well as a SEA Environmental Integration Guidance Document to assist Planning Authorities in the preparation and implementation of SEA for Plans, Programmes and Strategies in Ireland to comply with the SEA Directive. With regard to specific public bodies, Fáilte Ireland is undertaking a SEA of the development of Discovery Points along the Wild Atlantic Way, and DAFM is undertaking SEAs in relation to the preparation of the Seafood Operational Programme 2014 - 2020 and the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture 2014 – 2020. The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine announced the start of SEA for the national Rural Development Plan in May 2014.
	In 2011, the EPA produced guidance on the European Communities (Environmental Liability) Regulations 2008 and continue to enforce the regulations as required. In 2013, the EPA published the research reports of the ECORISK project exploring the potential for economic valuation of ecosystem services in the context of the Environmental Liability Directive and enforcing remediation, and in 2014 the EPA published guidance on systematically assessing and costing environmental liabilities
	DAHG developing guidelines on screening for AA for Planning Authorities, prepared jointly with DECLG. The EPA are also developing best practice guidance for use of GIS in SEA, for cumulative effects assessment in SEA and for better practice in SEA for the Energy Sector.
	Forest Service Appropriate Assessment Procedure Information Note (Consolidated version March 2013) , setting out how the procedure is applied by the Forest Service to applications for afforestation, forest road construction, thinning, clearfelling / replanting, and aerial fertilisation of forests. As set out in the Information Note, specific procedures are in place regarding Hen Harrier and Freshwater Pearl Mussel, and guidance given regarding the compilation of NATURA Impact Statements. The Forest Service is currently not issuing approvals for afforestation within Hen Harrier SPAs, pending the formulation of the Threat Response Plan for the species, led by NPWS. The Forest Service currently drafting Catchment Forest Management Plans for the priority 8 Freshwater Pearl Mussel Catchments. Based on the Forest Service AAP and a forestry operations options matrix, the plan will ensure that all forestry operations regulated by the Forest Service in these catchments is compatible with the protection and conservation of FPM and its habitat. Revision of forestry environmental guidelines by the Forest Service, DAFM, underway. These include guidelines directly related to biodiversity, and guidelines indirectly related (e.g. water quality guidelines). Revision to fully integrate requirements under Birds & Habitats Regs., Water Framework Directive, etc. and to reformulate the guidelines around specific operations, for clarity and ease of use. To receive a payment under the Single Payment Scheme farmers must follow a variety of regulations including environmental regulations. This system is known as Cross Compliance. The regulations to follow are called Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs). There are two (main) SMR types with regard to farming and biodiversity and these have been updated from 2015 onwards: SMR2 - Conservation of Wild Birds and SMR3 - Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna. Guidance has been produced for farmers to assist in understanding these requirements. Any clear breaches of cross compliance in relation to SMR 2 and 3 encountered by DAHG staff are reported to DAFM.
Action 3c: Stakeholder awareness and enforcement	A nominated officer of Revenues Customs Service is a member of the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group and attends each of the bi-annual meetings at the EU Commission.  The agenda covers major developments as regards trends in legal and illegal trade, significant seizures and confiscations, court cases and other enforcement and training related issues. There was a National Wildlife Crime Conference held in September 2013 attended by representatives from Department, Customs, Garda Siochána and UK Wildlife Crime experts
	Ensure adequate training in Wildlife Crime detection and enforcement is provided to all NPWS enforcement staff. Training courses have been arranged for Department’s authorised officials on courtroom skills and expert witness procedures
	Since 2011, the Revenue Customs service has made 59 seizures, of which only two were of live species, Giant Clams and Red-eared Slider Turtles. The Revenue Customs service had one prosecution during the period. Two men were convicted of illegally importing eight Rhino horns at Shannon Airport in January 2010. They were each fined €500. Joint operations have been undertaken and are continuing between An Garda Síochána and the Department which has resulted in a number of successful prosecutions for breaches of the Wildlife Acts
	Continue to enforce the Wildlife Acts and Regulations In the period 2011 to 2013 some 100 prosecution cases were taken by the Department under the Wildlife Acts and Habitats Regulations, of which 74 were successful
Action 4a & 4b: Monitoring and reporting	A set of indicators has been developed by NPWS and NBDC. The NBDC has developed a website to host the national biodiversity indicators and will release the completed indicators for consultation in early 2015.
	The inter-agency INSPIRE/Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure steering committee (involving NPWS, EPA, DECLG, MI, OSI, Geological Survey of Ireland, National Transport Authority, Met Eireann, Local Authority GIS Users Group and the Property Registration Authority of Ireland)has been established and is progressing work on common data standards. The priority of this group is to implement the INSPIRE directive and habitats are covered under the 3rd annex, which has the latest deadlines. The committee is currently focussing more on Annex 1. The OSI have built a national geoportal for access to INSPIRE data, released in 2012. EPA and NPWS are currently working together to update the Water Dependant Habitat parts of the WFD Article 6 register of protected areas
	The inter-agency INSPIRE/ISDI steering committee aims to finalise in 2014 an action plan for the implementation of the directive and the development of shared standards from data capture to data publishing, and develop metadata catalogues to interoperability of data across public bodies.
	Monitoring programmes have been developed and initiated for upland, grassland, hard water lake, turlough, woodland, dune, saltmarsh, limestone habitats. Countryside Birds, Wintering Waterbirds, East Coast breeding Terns, Bats, Vertigo species, Seals, Crayfish, Petalwort, Sickle moss, Killarney fern, Clubmosses, Marsh Saxifrage, Marsh Fritillary, Otter, Irish hare, Frog and Natterjack toad (NPWS) and Salmon (IFI). Biodiversity elements are monitored as part of WFD monitoring undertaken by the EPA e.g. Crayfish. The NBDC undertake butterfly, bumblebee, and vascular plant monitoring programmes. Many different approaches are being considered including the development of specific apps (e.g. bats), the use of citizen science (e.g. butterfly), and real-time surveillance (NPWS Site Inspection Reporting programme). Monitoring of fish species trends is being undertaken by IFI under various programmes including the National Eel Monitoring Programme, the EU Habitats Directive (Fish) Programme which monitors ‘conservation fish species’, including the shads, lampreys, smelt, char, pollan and Atlantic salmon, and the Water Framework Directive Fish Monitoring programme which monitors fish populations at fixed sites using inter-calibrated techniques in river, lake and transitional waters. These programmes are delivered on a rolling basis delivering for target species and providing general fish biodiversity data. An extensive tagging programme contributes to monitoring elasmobranch distribution, movement, growth and exploitation, and coarse fish and pike are regularly monitored through direct stock assessment and tagging programmes. The use of technology (app/website) and targeted surveys of invasive fish, plant and other species contribute to identifying risks and protection of biodiversity.