Vol. 522 No. 4
215 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to recent press reports that the nests of peregrine falcons are being raided in the west and the young birds are being sold to the Middle East; and the action she is taking to stop this illicit trade. [19016/00]
It is an offence under the Wildlife Act, 1976, to either take a peregrine falcon from its nest or to export it other than under licence issued by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department.
Local Dúchas management have made enquiries concerning the reported allegations of an illicit trade in young peregrine falcons from Sligo and Mayo. I am advised that they have received no information of a current illicit trade in young peregrine falcons in the Sligo-Mayo areas. On this basis I have no reason to believe that there are any current activities that could be linked to these recent articles.
It is our policy to prosecute anyone who has committed offences under the Wildlife Act, 1976, subject to possession of the requisite evidence and Dúchas has in the past taken prosecutions against individuals involved in an illegal trade in peregrine falcons. If there is evidence available that such activity is currently under way I would request that it be brought to the attention of Dúchas, the heritage service, who could then take the necessary action.
