Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

----- signatures to the petition. My amendment looks to protect our wildlife diversity. We know different birds have different behavioural patterns. In Britain, studies have shown the red-listed yellowhammer breeds into September. This amendment would set a higher standard of protection for some of these animals and extend the protection of them in defined areas. It would not be throughout the country or in areas which did not have populations of, say, yellowhammers. It signs us up to the birds directive which states that member states should set out a general system of protection for birds during the periods of breeding and rearing of chicks. This amendment proposes the Minister may make regulations. It does not aim to tie the hands of the Minister in the future, just empower her or him.