Vol. 500 No. 4
304 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the regulations that exist for the cutting of hedgerows; if she has satisfied himself at the standards involved in this exercise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4239/99]
Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 recognises the value of habitats such as hedgerows for nesting birds and provides protection against cutting, grubbing, burning and destruction of vegetation on uncultivated land during the critical nesting period of 15 April to 31 August. In addition, regulations transposing the habitats directive into Irish law restrict damaging hedgerow destruction in special areas of conservation. The rural environment protection scheme, administered by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, also promotes the conservation and maintenance of existing features that make up farmland habitat such as hedgerows. Certain sections of the planning Acts contain specific provisions in relation to planting and protection of trees in urban areas and the Forestry Act, 1946, places restrictions on cutting down or injuring trees outside of urban areas.
While local authorities are exempt from the section 40 provisions, Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, requests local authorities for their continued co-operation in ensuring that hedge cutting operations, as far as possible, are undertaken outside the critical bird nesting period. In general terms, the response to such appeals has been positive. However, I do accept that there has been some public disquiet over the past number of years in relation to this matter. It is my intention to bring forward, under the forthcoming Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, stronger protective provisions in relation to the destruction of hedgerows etc. during the prohibited period.
