Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2015
197. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service will erect signs in the vicinity of nesting white tailed eagles to warn fishermen, other lake users and members of the public not to inadvertently disturb them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16108/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that all wild birds, including white tailed sea eagles, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Birds Directive, and should not be disturbed during the breeding season.
My Department is working with its partners on the white tailed sea eagle reintroduction project, the Golden Eagle Trust, with a view to ensuring the conservation needs of our population of these birds are met. Measures to protect individual sites are considered on a case by case basis and, in this regard, it is understood that signage is being provided at a particular site in Lough Derg where there have been reports of disturbance recently.
