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

On the gorse fire epidemic, County Kerry is one of several counties that have been experiencing the fires of late. It is one of the worst affected areas, with a 700% increase in the number of gorse fires in the county in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period last year. Given that increase, it is abundantly obvious that the current legislation is not working.

How is the Minister planning on identifying culprits for these actions and what system is she putting in place to prevent further deliberate fires? How does she plan to penalise and prosecute those responsible, or does her Department identify more with the farming community than with the protection of natural habitats?

Section 40 of the Wildlife Act makes it an offence to burn gorse between 1 March and 31 August. What is the Minister's position on the farmers' lobby to change that start date back to 15 April?

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