I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) held a public consultation on the Open Seasons Order from 22nd March to 3rd May 2023. The public consultation will inform any review of the Open Seasons Order and the bird species listed on it. Consideration will also be given to the actions needed to improve the management of the Open Seasons Order, with a view to ensuring that hunting of these species is on a sustainable footing. Following recently reported declines in populations at the EU level, an EU Taskforce on the Recovery of Bird Species has been established to consider actions to reverse the decline in bird species, and to review the sustainability of their hunting in the Member States. The NPWS are engaging with this forum.
The Open Seasons Order public consultation was open to everyone to put their views forward on an individual or organisational basis. In addition, a productive stakeholder engagement meeting was held in Dublin on the 21st April, with stakeholder groups invited across various interests such as hunting, farming and environmental NGOs. All of these interests were represented at the meeting, including the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and other hunting groups.
Results of the public consultation are currently being analysed. No decisions have been taken with regard to any potential changes in the Open Seasons Order.
