Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. On the wildlife crime unit, it is the case that the NPWS, in association with the Garda, has been doing fantastic work, and continues to do so, on wildlife crime. Earlier this year, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Garda around the investigation of wildlife crime and, more recently, we have formally established a wildlife crime unit within the NPWS. That is intended to enhance the work that is being done on the ground by our district conservation officers across the country. They are on the front line. The Chairman may have seen that, in recent months, a significant number of cases have been brought to successful prosecution. Doing that requires significant investigation, including the preservation of crime scenes and the preparation of books of evidence. We are also encouraged by the decisions judges have made in those cases. Significant fines have been handed down for destruction of habitats and hedgerows. In a recent case in County Laois, a landowner received a suspended sentence for being in possession of two birds of prey. There have been moves in that regard and I might ask Ms Nally to elaborate further.

The establishment of the wildlife crime unit is intended to ensure we have a consolidated and standardised approach to wildlife crime. There have been approximately 19 successful prosecutions this year and another 41 are pending. Members of the public are now seeing that the penalties are quite significant, including penalties on farm payments, etc. There is quite an amount of work being done in this space.

We also see a very important public awareness role for the unit as it is enhanced in the coming years. I will ask Ms Nally to come in that. I do not know if I have missed anything on that question.