Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2023
93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to engage with the National Association of Regional Game Council to explore how it can assist with the protection of wildlife. [41779/23]
View answerThe recent Public consultation on the Open Seasons Order contained several useful recommendations and suggestions, many of which will be actioned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department in the coming months. These include:
- the need for collaboration across various groups and agencies
- the need for collation of good quality, current data on bird populations and hunting activity
- recognition of the impact of habitat degradation, disturbance and climate change on bird populations
The NPWS are committed to working with stakeholders to ensure sustainable hunting and conservation of birds in Ireland. To this end, Minister Noonan recently announced his intention to establish a ‘Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum’. Details of this will be communicated to relevant parties in the coming weeks. I welcome the engagement of the NARGC with this Forum in their commitment to manage habitats to support our wild birds, and to ensure the sustainability of hunting practices.
Biodiversity in Ireland is coming under pressure from many different sources, as it is across Europe and globally. Such pressures combined can have a negative impact on many species, and their habitats. It is only by working together across Government, with stakeholders and also internationally, that we will achieve our common goal: the stability and recovery of our wild bird populations and the enjoyment of them, by ourselves and future generations.
