Vol. 524 No. 4
126 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if pruning of roadside hedges is confined to certain months because of birds' nests; if this is optional or mandatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22826/00]
I will reply to the aspects of the question which fall within my area of responsibility for wildlife and habitats. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, will reply to an identical question tabled by the Deputy in relation to roadside hedges and deal with issues which are the responsibility of his Department.
While hedgerows are a vital habitat for many nesting birds and also operate as repositories of biodiversity, I am conscious that hedges need to be properly managed in the interests of road safety. Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, makes it an offence to cut, grub or otherwise destroy vegetation between 15 April and 31 August which is the critical bird nesting season but local authorities are exempted from the section 40 provisions.
This year, as in previous years, Dúchas the Heritage Service of my Department wrote to all local authorities in early March requesting their co-operation in ensuring that hedge cutting takes place, where possible, outside the period commencing 15 April and ending on 31 August.
I am happy to confirm that the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999, which will amend the Wildlife Act, 1976, completed Committee Stage on 17 October 2000. This Bill had proposed to extend the period during which cutting was restricted from 15 April to 31 August to the 1 April to 31 August each year. On Committee Stage, I proposed that this period would be further extended to cover the period 1 March to 31 August each year. This amendment will further enhance the protection that is afforded to birds that nest in hedgerows.
