Seán Kenny
Question:96 Mr. S. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the measures, if any, he will take to protect falcons living in the wild in this State from being captured and taken abroad for sale. [3019/95]
Written Answers. - Protection for Falcons.
All wild birds, including birds of prey such as falcons, are protected under the 1976 Wildlife Act, and it is an offence, inter alia, to hunt, capture, kill or injure them or to interfere with or destroy their breeding places except in accordance with licences or permissions issued under that Act.
Under regulations introduced in 1984 (S.I. No. 8), the taking of birds of prey from the wild is an offence. In addition, the export and the import of birds of prey are covered by regulations introduced in 1979 (S.I. No. 235) and 1989 (S.I. No. 296) respectively.
I am satisfied therefore, that the statutory controls in place to protect birds of prey are adequate.
On an operational level, National Parks and Wildlife Service Rangers endeavour to ensure that the nests of such birds, where known to them are not disturbed. In addition, the premises of licence holders under the various wildlife regulations are inspected to ensure that they are complying with the law.
I again appeal to those with any evidence of illegal wildlife activity to make such evidence available to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and/or the Garda Síochána so that prosecutions can be brought against those involved.