Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2014
686. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the gorse burning season in 2015 will be extended beyond the current date in line with Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48121/14]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Any change to that period would require amending legislation. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and therefore a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced.
Stakeholders have been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of these controls and I recently announced a consultation process which provides that opportunity. All views received will be considered as part of any future decision and I encourage interested parties to make a submission by the deadline of 9 January 2015.
