Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022
83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions and processes that are taken and followed in the event that remains of unhealthy swans are discovered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service whereby there is not a suspicion of avian influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52146/22]
View answerDue to the current presence of avian influenza in Ireland and wider western Europe, in the event of unexplained death/illness of high risk waterbirds, before handling any sick, injured or dead birds, NPWS must first contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to ensure avian influenza is ruled out. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responsibility for avian influenza testing. NPWS would ask for information on the outcomes of the testing to be provided. This, and any other testing or site-based or witness evidence available, would be used to review and investigate the possibility of any breach of the Wildlife Acts 1976-2021. All species of swans found in Ireland are protected under the Wildlife Acts, which include provisions in relation to hunting, trapping and poisoning. Any other concern regarding water quality related toxicity is within the remit of local authorities and other public authorities dealing with water quality and public health.
