Gorse Burning

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 April 2017

Tuesday, 11 April 2017

Questions (465)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

465. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of investigations that have taken place in the past ten years into illegal gorse fires and the illegal burning of uplands; the number of these investigations that have resulted in prosecutions with the relevant fines imposed on the offender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18101/17]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Since 2007 my Department has taken eleven prosecution cases for breaches of Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts relating to illegal burning of vegetation (that is burning of vegetation outside the period prescribed in the Wildlife Acts for burning and cutting of vegetation). Fines were imposed in most cases with, in some cases, the defendants being ordered by the Court to pay legal costs and expenses.

An Garda Siochana may also carry out their own investigations into illegal burning.