Criminal Prosecutions Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2019

Thursday, 11 July 2019

Ceisteanna (976, 977)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

976. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of convictions under the Wildlife Acts in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [31315/19]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

977. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of convictions under the Heritage Act 2018 to date. [31316/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 976 and 977 together.

There were 30 successful prosecution cases taken by my Department under the Wildlife Acts, which incorporate relevant provisions in the Heritage Act 2018, for the period 2016 to date.  A yearly breakdown is a follows:

- In 2016, 9 successful prosecutions

- In 2017, 8 successful prosecutions

- In 2018, 11 successful prosecutions and

- To date in 2019, 2 successful prosecutions

These prosecutions cover a variety of offenses under the Wildlife Acts including destruction of vegetation, illegal hare and duck hunting, the laying of poison and the sale of illegal traps.