Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2016
957. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of the concerns raised by Bird Watch Ireland regarding her decision on 23 December 2015 to allow greater flexibility in the cutting and burning of hedgerows in the months of March and August; the safeguards that will be in place for any hedgerow cutting and burning in these months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1125/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra959. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to reverse changes made to hedge cutting and scrub burning dates (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1132/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra961. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the rationale behind the changes to the hedge cutting and scrub burning dates announced on 23 December 2015, the groups she or her Department met with when considering this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1238/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 959 and 961 together.
Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife.
Following a review of section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, including from BirdWatch Ireland, I recently announced proposals to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures has been included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which has just been published. I have on occasion met with stakeholders on a range of issues, many of whom availed of the opportunity of re-iterating views expressed in their submissions in response to the public consultation.
The existing provisions relating to section 40 of the Wildlife Acts are still in operation and any changes to the closed period are dependent on the passage of the Heritage Bill 2016 through the Oireachtas.
