AQW 39003/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/01/2026
Answered On Date: 04/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any measures his Department will take to help arrest the population decline in house martins and swifts.

Answer:

The Common swift is listed by the Department as a Northern Ireland Priority Species, meaning that the species is a species of principal importance for conserving biodiversity in Northern Ireland. Conservation action for swifts by the Department has focused on protecting existing nest sites through advice to planning authorities on consultations related to development proposals.

House martins also prefer to use existing nests remaining on buildings from the previous year, and the Department would encourage house owners to leave these nests in situ.

The Department is a partner in the Northern Ireland Species Recovery Partnership, which is currently developing a concise Species Action Plan towards the recovery of swifts in Northern Ireland, due for publication in 2026.