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Wild Fires

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Questions (273)

Gerald Nash

Question:

273. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position of his Department on the recent gorse fires in Killarney, County Kerry; if his Department is considering additional practical measures or additional legislative or regulatory measures in relation to the protection of sensitive and biodiverse areas that may be under threat from such incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22600/21]

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Written answers

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, are presently undertaking immediate work to assess the initial impacts of the fire. NPWS staff are currently reviewing satellite data to map and assess the area burnt. Conservation rangers are mapping the entire boundary of the fire on the ground and are undertaking internal mapping of the area burnt, conducting preliminary assessments of the impacts and severity of the fire on various habitats and vegetation types, including sampling of faunal assemblages.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the NPWS will be following up with authorities including the Kerry Fire Services to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the blaze. One of the main challenges is to encourage members of the public, (including landowners, farmers and recreational users of publicly accessible land), to act responsibly at all times, to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, to be mindful of the need to protect property, both publicly owned and privately owned and to appreciate the value of our natural heritage, particularly in our National Parks, Nature Reserves and Designated (Natura 2000) Sites.

My Department is developing a number of initiatives to deal with wildlife crime. At present arrangements are in hand for the establishment of a new Wildlife Crime Unit in my Department. A process is also already underway on the engagement of 60 conservation rangers around the country to add to the resources available to deal with a range of functions, including wildlife crime.

This will provide important support to regional staff around the country in tackling various types of wildlife crime, including the destruction of habitats caused by wildfires. Amongst other things the unit will enhance public awareness of the issues involved in wildlife crime, develop closer working liaison arrangements with other agencies and bodies involved in enforcement and will provide a channel for collating and disseminating of intelligence in relation to wildlife crimes. It is expected that this new unit will be established over the summer.

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