Group to hatch hen harrier forest plan

THE impact of forestry on the hen harrier, a protected species, is still being assessed by a Government working group.

Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan said a management regime needs to be put in place to accommodate both forestry and the hen-harrier in the areas being proposed as Special Protection Areas.

But it is necessary to work out what type of regime is needed to achieve those objectives, she told Tipperary South TD Tom Hayes in written replies to Dáil questions.