Wildlife Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Questions (364)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

364. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline clearly his Department's plans regarding the open seasons Order; to outline the reason a position paper and plans by the NPWS Management Board (dated September 2022) were not referenced during the public consultation process held between March and May 2023; the reason two options were outlined in these plans and set out before the consultation process began; the reason those engaging in the consultation process were not made aware of the options as set out by the NPWS; if he will address the concerns by game hunting clubs in relation to their lack of confidence in this consultation process given the position of the NPWS; if he will outline what the "other" options being considered are as they are not referenced in the paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29212/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) recently held a public consultation on the Open Seasons Order. 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.

A presentation was made to the NPWS Management Board in September 2022 by the internal NPWS Open Seasons Order working group. The presentation involved a review of the requirement of the Birds Directive; discussions of the EU Task Force on the Recovery of Bird Species; the available scientific data; potential framework in relation to certain Annex II species on the Open Seasons Order; and developing a draft framework for the consultation process with stakeholders.

The public consultation process – comprising both online surveys and in person meetings - allowed stakeholders and the general public to provide their views on policy issues. The preliminary outline deliberations of the NPWS working group were not fed into the public consultation process, as to do so would have influenced the views of either the general public or of the specific stakeholders involved. The results of the public consultation are currently being analysed and no decisions have been taken with regard to any potential changes in the Open Seasons Order.