Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

These fires, whether started illegally or naturally, cause considerable damage to wildlife, in particular, at the time of year to which the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys's Bill proposes to extend the provision, when birds and other forms of wildlife are beginning to make their homes, nest and mate, and then to breed their young throughout that season. With the cutting of the hedging, it is lethal to the protection of wildlife.

The Bill has been dubbed the anti-wildlife Bill and that describes it well. It makes no sense at all for us to increase the length of time allowed for burning, in particular when the Minister of State says only a small number of applications were made to allow the burning. That implies that most of the burning is illegal.

A Bill or measures that enforces what already exists should be brought in rather than extending the potential for further burning and possible destruction to wildlife. Ultimately, there is a significant cost to the Exchequer of this burning, but there is a bigger cost to nature and to the quality of all our lives by losing these habitats.

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