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National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2014

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Questions (25)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

25. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the work his Department is doing in regard to the biodiversity crisis in Ireland, as was highlighted by National Biodiversity Week; the way the National Parks and Wildlife Service is addressing biodiversity concerns in our national parks such as a potential population decrease in badgers due to badger culling and the return of an invasive form of rhododendrons in national parks as seen in Killarney National Park among other growing biodiversity concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24285/14]

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Written answers

My Department works extensively with a range of public authorities and NGOs to protect and enhance Ireland's biodiversity. For example, my Department substantially funds the Irish Environment Network to support events throughout Biodiversity Week, which is an annual event held across Ireland. In 2011, the Government approved Ireland’s 2nd National Biodiversity Plan, entitled ‘Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016’ and I expect to be in a position to publish an interim review of the plan in the coming months. The review will highlight some of the significant progress made on key objectives over the past three years, and will also help us to take stock of areas where further progress is needed. It will also provide a useful basis for discussions with interested parties.

On the matter of badger culling, there is no programme of badger culling in our National Parks. Under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012, badgers are afforded the status of protected wild animals. They are also recognised under the Bern Convention, whereby states which are party to the Convention must take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the protection of wild fauna and to ensure that any exploitation of wild fauna is properly regulated.

Population estimates for badgers have been generated on a number of occasions in recent years and do not indicate any significant reduction in badger numbers. The most up to date figures, which are based on a peer-reviewed paper published in February this year by scientists in UCD, Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, puts the national population at between 70,000 and 90,000 animals. This closely matches the previous population figure of 84,000 calculated in 2009 by researchers in University College Cork.

With regard to the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum, my Department carries out an annual targeted programme in Ireland’s National Parks to manage this invasive species. The extent of the problem varies from property to property and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, my Department's targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum efficacy. The work involved is carried out by outside specialist companies, by staff of my Department and, in some cases, by volunteer groups under direction and supervision. My Department will continue to invest in this important programme of work with a view to creating conditions in our National Parks that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, our native woodlands.

Question No. 26 answered with Question No.15.
Questions Nos. 27 and 28 answered with Question No. 24.
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