Government ignores plight of hare

IRELAND’S appalling record on safeguarding endangered wildlife species has come into the spotlight again, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminding us that key habitats requiring special attention are being neglected by the present government.

The reminder is timely, because the enlightened EU Habitats Directive appears to have been completely ignored by a government that for the first time in Irish history includes the “principled” Green Party.

Last year, the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland has inadequate conservation safeguards for species specifically protected by law in this country.