Wildlife Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Ceisteanna (298)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

298. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next obligatory Report on the Status of Ireland’s Seabirds to the EU Commission is due to be completed and published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; if the report will comprehensively address the proliferation of urban breeding and living gull species as evidenced in the National Urban Gull Survey September 2021 and the severe negative impacts these species are having on human communities, including the now officially declared threat they are posing to public health and safety; and, if the urban gull issue will not be comprehensively addressed in the Report to the Commission, if he will provide an explanation. [52884/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Ireland’s next Birds Directive Article 12 report on the implementation of national provisions taken under that Directive is due to be submitted to the European Commission in 2025.

The report will include information on the status of seabird species that naturally occur in this country, and will incorporate the results of my Department’s National Urban Gull Survey of 2021. The European Commission, with Member States, sets out guidelines on the type of information to be submitted as part of the Article 12 reporting process.

It will contain information on status and trends of bird populations, as well as information on the main pressures and threats to those species, the impact of the Natura 2000 Network and conservation measures. The Reporting guidelines do not include the submission of information on public health and safety issues that may arise, unless it is related to the threats and pressures on the bird species themselves.