I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
The agreement reached at COP 15 for a UN Action Plan for Biodiversity including the ‘30x30’ targets is historic. The global biodiversity framework will assist in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. I now look forward to working with our colleagues and partners on putting these outcomes into action through implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and Ireland's new National Biodiversity Action Plan which will be published this year.
I also strongly welcome the publication of the report of the Irish Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and am grateful to members of the Assembly for their dedication and commitment to the process. The Assembly agreed 159 recommendations, including 73 high level and 86 sectoral specific recommendations, reflecting the depth and breadth of the topics discussed including the safeguarding of wildlife.
The recommendations of the assembly will now be deliberated by the relevant committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Committee will, in turn, bring its conclusions to the Houses for debate. The Government will provide in the Houses of the Oireachtas a response to each recommendation of the Assembly and, if accepting some or all of the recommendations, will indicate the timeframe it envisages for implementing those recommendations.
Enforcement is a priority in my Department. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department (NPWS) is working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime. Staff in NPWS are designated as Authorised Persons under the Wildlife Acts and Authorised Officers under the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and in that context they have powers of enforcement to deal with wildlife crime.
My Department works closely with An Garda Síochána and other enforcement bodies, as appropriate, to investigate and prosecute wildlife crime in Ireland. On an ongoing basis NPWS staff conduct patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of national and EU legislation, as required. They also investigate reports of breaches of legislation and progress cases for prosecutions as necessary.
Detailed data on the numbers of wildlife crime investigations and prosecutions taken by enforcement organisations other than the NPWS are not presently collated by, and consequently is not available in, my Department.
The information requested regarding the number of wildlife crimes investigations, prosecutions by the NPWS per year and county since 2014, when records are readily available, is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Strategic Action Plan for NPWS will equip it with the organisational capability and supporting structures to enable it to deliver its mandate in protecting our natural heritage. Additional resources are being recruited across all grades and specialisms in NPWS and I have secured agreement to increase the number of conservation rangers to 120 with recruitment already underway to achieve this.
The NPWS is also working to review, consolidate and modernise the Wildlife Act and the Birds and Habitats Regulations. The updates to this legislation will be wide-ranging but will have a particular focus on deterrence and on improving the enforceability of wildlife laws.
