Promise to co-operate on habitat designation

CO-OPERATION, not confrontation, will be the Department of the Environment’s approach to farmers when designating further sites for habitat protection.

Ireland is still required by the EU authorities to designate sites for certain species, in particular the hen harrier and chough, according to the Department.

Designations for chough will not go beyond four coastal areas and inland cliff areas of Kerry and west Cork, and one in Donegal.