AIE-137-2023
National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS)
Instances where DAFM has actively sought the best available information and experiences from NPWS to inform an AA of a forestry licence
AIE request [AIE.139.2023]
Request based on EU Guidance on Assessments under the Habitats Directive – no information was found
Glenasmole Valley
AIE-104-2023
Summary: Castlekelly townland within Glenasmole Catchment
- Acquired by the State in 2016 to form part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
- 1982 Hectares
- Some of the lands are also part of the Wicklow Mountains SAC and Wicklow Mountains SPA
- Legal obligation on the State to restore the site condition to Favourable Conservation Status
The Development of a Gully Woodland Restoration Plan for the Upper River Dodder Catchment and the
Identification and Assessment of Generic Issues of Relevance for Future Similar Projects in Ireland
Proposed National Parks and Wildlife Service Glenasmole Catchment Project
Proposed measures
Presentation on the project
NPWS Upland Woodland Potential (Castlekelly)
Osprey – Reintroduction Programme Costs
No. of Licences issued to translocate pine martens under the Wildlife Acts
Informal appeals process, designations (DAAAB)
No records found
AIE request 093-2023
List of informal decisions made by DAAAB to include:
- date of decision
- SAC / SPA / NHA name
- SAC / SPA /NHA code
- result of the decision
- composition of the DAAAB board making the decision
- any supporting documentation submitted in relation to DAAAB informal decisions, eg
meeting minutes/agendas, biodiversity reports commissioned, Board guidance in relation to
informal vs formal decisions, etc
Restoration of Liffey Head Bog, Co. Wicklow – Determination on Screening for Appropriate Assessment
National Appropriate Assessment Forum
AIE-086-2023
13 June 2023
Under the AIE Regs to request the membership, agendas and minutes for following group; National Appropriate Assessment Forum
Please include any reports/presentations referenced in the agendas/minutes
Date: 2019 to 2023
In 2019, the Department established the National Appropriate Assessment Forum to increase stakeholder engagement and to assist Government Departments and other public authorities in fulfilling the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive for which they are responsible. The Forum meets twice a year and provides an opportunity to share information, experience and good practice. 20 public authorities are currently members of the National AA Forum, together with the Local Government Management Agency (representing 31 local authorities). This includes all public authorities with key responsibilities in undertaking AA assessments for plans and projects
AIE Request: NPWS Management Board Minutes 2020-2023
AIE-055-2023
NPWS Management Board
Niall Ó Donnchú (NÓD), Ainle Ni Bhriain (ANB), Andy Bleasdale (AB), Catriona Ryan (CR),
Ciara Carberry (CC), Malachy Corcoran (MC), Sorcha de Brúch (SDB), Suzanne Nally (SN), Maryellen
Sacco Power (MSP).
ARC Steering Group
Conservation Measures Projects
Red Bog SAC
Consents currently in place for the NHA within Lough Corrib SAC
Working group to respond to the ARO on Peatlands
Nature Restoration Law
Designations Unit will meet with Deirdre Lynn to discuss the European Biodiversity Strategy pledges.
Corncrake Life will be extended and brought into NPWS as an ongoing project
NPWS in the lead on the Nature Restoration Law, needs to be resourced with an interdepartmental subcommittee
Sarah Farrell from Legal unit to present to the Management Board on the work of the legal unit
monthly biodiversity water synergy meeting
Seamus Hassett vice chair of the Wildlife Crime Committee
Update Due to the Commission for the infringement case, a working group will be established for actions on blanket bogs.
Ban of leadshot over wetlands, agreed to go with map 1
Boora Grey Partridge Project
Paul Cassidy attended the meeting and presented on his work to update the Wildlife Act.
Review of Working Groups
An update to the response for the Additional Reasoned Opinion on the Peatlands case has issued to the European Commission.
Nominees from each directorate for the Wildlife Crime Committee
Terms of reference for the Cross Directorate Committee on Blanket Bog were passed
Approval was given to start the process to designate Lough Conn as a Nature Reserve
Query from Marine Envt on designating marine SACs as OSPAR protected areas
Policy issues (national level)
– Nature Restoration Law
– Additional Reasoned Opinion on Peatlands Infringement Case
– Red Bog SAC 397 Reply from the Commission
Measures Case
Designation pledges under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
Presentation: SNaP, Claire Cooper and Rebecca Jeffrey
SNaP Cross Directorate Team
SSCOs on SPAs
GIS and Biodiversity Data Requirements Form/Process
Significant cross-cutting matters
– SDF inconsistency with the SSCOs
– SNaP and Conservation Actions for Lagoons
– Secondment National Experts – Priorities 2023
– Coillte Draft Scope and Actions for 2023
– Analysis of NPWS v- ortho imagery
– Package Meeting 27/04
– Coillte meeting attendance and date
– Peatland Rehabilitation TRA Conference
Significant cross-cutting matters
– Note from DG Environment in relation to renewable energy
– ARC Guidance
Proposed UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
L. Ree & Environs
Peregrine Wild Take Draw 2023
From records held in WLU there are approximately 230 peregrine falcons (or hybrids) held by falconers in Ireland.
Burren National Park Visitor Centre
Business Case for the establishment of a Corncrake/Traonach Conservation Programme as part of the Corncrake/Traonach Post-LIFE plan
Conservation Measures Unit
NPWS AP Workshop
Annex II Bird Species on Open Seasons Order
NPWS Management Board
Strategic Action Plan for the renewal of the NPWS 2022-2024
Mid- South Division
Nenagh 01/11/2022
Management Board Presentation
Strategic Nature Project (SNaP) Ireland Application
Presentation to NPWS Management Board
Claire Cooper / Rebecca Jeffrey
17/01/2023
Proposal from Ecological Assessment Unit to engage in the TAIEX-Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) Peer 2 Peer Scheme
Glenasmole restoration plan
https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac/001209
Site code: 001209
Designation: Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
County: Dublin
Coordinates: Latitude: 53.2415 Longitude: -6.36331
SAC Area: 148Ha
Qualifying Interests
Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) [6210]
Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) [6410]
Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) [7220]