Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
197. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to ban the shooting of woodcock and snipe; if so, the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42019/23]
View answerA public consultation of the Open Seasons Order (OSO) was carried out in early 2023, providing all interested stakeholders and the general public with an opportunity to input their views on policy issues. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department subsequently engaged external expertise to review the c. 2,500 responses to the survey on the OSO, along with the outcome of the very productive stakeholder engagement meeting held in April 2023, and to develop recommendations arising from same.
Following an analysis of the public survey and stakeholder consultation, I made the decision to amend the Open Seasons Order to remove four species of wild bird – the Scaup, Goldeneye, Pochard and Pintail. The extensive range of submissions received during the public consultation contained several useful recommendations and suggestions, many of which will be actioned by NPWS 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 is committed to strengthening the evidence base that informs decision making around the OSO. Work will be undertaken with regard to the trialling of survey techniques with a view to improving our knowledge on the populations of species such as Woodcock and Snipe wintering in Ireland. In parallel, a Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum will be established to facilitate dialogue with stakeholders. Details of this will be communicated to relevant parties in the coming weeks.
