Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Whitmore. From 1 March to 1 September, burning is illegal. Outside of that window, it is possible to apply and get a permit for it. I will continue to assess all advice on this. Where controlled burning is taking place, there has to be an application to the local authority, and full engagement and co-operation. It has to be approved. The balance to be struck then is in relation to what is appropriate, and what the benefit is or otherwise. The challenge is that without controlled burning, you could have a potentially higher risk of burning at the height of summer, for example, which you cannot control, and the risk around that. My understanding is that it can provide for habitat renewal, which can be important for bird life.

I will be fully advised by those with the understanding and expertise in this space. One thing I will say is that it is now illegal from 1 March to 1 September. We will be taking a no-nonsense approach to this, and monitoring it very closely. There are fines, prosecutions, and laws in place around it. Agricultural payments will not be paid to offenders; they will be fined and these payments made unavailable. It is something we take seriously, but we will continue to take advice from those who understand it better than me on its efficacy.