Draft Minutes of meeting held on 10^th December 2025

SAAO/1Present: Philip O’Connor (Chair), Dougal Cousins, Jacqueline Feeley, Lorraine Bull, Cllr. David Healy, Nitya Cyriac, Michelle Harrison, Mary Tubridy, Edgar McLoughlin, Mairead Stack, Mary O’Connor, Sorcha King, Lisa Doyle, James Burke

Apologies: Nessa O’Brien, Fearghal McSweeney, Cllr. Cathal Haughey, Caroline Core-Grimes, Conn Redmond, Declan Doogue, Guy Molyneux, Renee Malone, Therese Casey, Hans Visser

SAA0/2 Minutes: Agreed to amend Septembers minutes: Proposed by Dougal Cousins and Seconded by Jackie.

SAAO/3: Sorcha King updated the Committee, there was nothing new to report and Operations will continue monitoring. Sorcha thanked the volunteers for their work.

SAAO/4: Lisa Doyle gave the Committee an update on Biodiversity matters. Additional signage and marker posts and a new map board will be installed in the new year. Rhododendron control continuing at Woodland Demesne. For the heather restoration project, more heather will be planted along the route. Mary Tubridy requested a physical map to future meetings and this will be arranged.

SAAO/5: Dougal gave a report on the meeting of the Conservation and Recreation Subcommittee (Copy of same will be circulated with minutes). It was a constructive meeting to discuss the Draft Howth SAC and SPA Management Plan. The original brief outlined that the consultants were to meet the working group prior to works commencing, this to be confirmed with Hans. The reply on Balscadden steps has been sent to Dougal. Hans confirmed Greenhallows quarry will be looked at to be possibly included in the plan.

SAAO/6: Lorraine Bull gave the members a report on Visitor Management on Ireland’s eye. Fencing has been installed on Ireland’s eye, which is expensive but can be looked at again. This was all installed by hand with minimal concrete used. More defined routes and way markers, bilingual lectures and additional signage to be installed. The was funding from the NPWS for a pilot warden scheme and seabird census. Full information of seabird census included in presentation (Copy of same will be circulated with minutes). Invasive species were detailed in the presentation. The question of EU funding was asked in regards to the dealing of the rat problem, this will be looked into. Mairead stated that the NPWS has plans to tackle the rat problem but does not approve of the rabbit removal aspect to the plan as there is no scientific evidence to link back to it. Lorraine stated that an AA and environmental screening would need to take place. Dougal asked could the warden scheme be extended to the mainland, this would all come down to funding, a conversation with Birdwatch Ireland can be had on this. A webinar held by Birdwatch Ireland was hosted on the 10^th Wednesday and a recording of this will be made available. The pedestrian counter was not replaced on Ireland’s eye as it was vandalised, wardens did timed counts to track numbers of visitors.

SAAO/7: Jackie gave the report for the Planning and Communications Subcommittee (Copy of same will be circulated with minutes).  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.