Róisín Shortall
Question:966. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will respond to the serious concerns raised by a number of organisations (details supplied) with respect to proposed changes to section 40 of the Wildlife Act that would permit the setting of gorse fires in March and the cutting of hedgerows in August; if she is satisfied that this proposal will not adversely affect the protection and preservation of indigenous flora; her views on the fact that many birds, such as the yellowhammer, nest chicks until well into September; if she is satisfied that these proposed changes do not conflict with the 2007 European Court of Justice ruling in case C-418/04: Commission v. Ireland, which found that the State failed to adequately protect indigenous bird habitats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25185/16]
View answer