Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We had a detailed meeting with the Commission on the Bill in February 2018 and officials did not raise issues regarding the Bill with the Department. They had no concern in respect of birds.

Deputy Josepha Madigan: We had a detailed meeting with European Commission officials on the Bill in February 2018 and officials did not raise issues with the Bill with the Department. They had no concern in respect of birds.

On the issue of hedge cutting in August, we have approximately 300,000 km of hedgerow, mainly surrounding fields and properties. It is only roadside hedges that are subject to the Bill's provisions. They comprise a fraction of the total hedgerow resource that we are lucky to have. We are not of the view that birds would be affected in any way. A fact that seems to have been lost in the discussion is that when we cut hedges at any time of the year, even during the open period between September and February, it is an offence under section 22 of the Wildlife Act 1976 to wilfully destroy, injure or mutilate the eggs or nests of any bird species.