Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In a recent interview, the Minister maintained that fires were not an issue for the Department, except where they occurred in Killarney National Park. In recent months, fires have also occurred in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and many of the upland areas that have been scorched are within special areas of conservation and special protection areas. These are our most important biodiversity areas. They are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department. It has been well-documented that extensive and devastating fires have raged throughout the country this year. Does the Minister agree that wildfires will only be brought under control when the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine stops single farm payments to those responsible? Does she acknowledge that, as Minister with responsibility for heritage, she and her Department have a duty to protect our upland habitats?

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