Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for facilitating me. I will begin by refuting some of the comments made by Deputy Catherine Martin. First, I congratulate her on her election tonight as chairperson of the new women's caucus in Leinster House. However, I refute her accusations that I or the Minister, two rural Deputies from the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, care any less about the biodiversity or heritage of our country or constituency. Heritage is one of the most important portfolios any Minister could have. I sat on the heritage board in Cavan County Council for a number of years out of sheer passion for the natural and built heritage and culture of my community as well as my county and constituency, and I represent my country here. I do not think it was fair of Deputy Catherine Martin to make some of the accusations she made tonight. I will deal with them in the course of my contribution. I again thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for allowing me to speak first.

As spokesperson on arts and heritage, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Heritage Bill. We in Fianna Fáil take very seriously the protection of our natural wildlife and protected habitats and species. However, we will examine further proposals and amendments on subsequent legislative Stages that will improve the Bill. In some cases, road fatalities have been caused by hedgerows and that cannot be ignored. It would be a case of burying our heads in the sand if we did not acknowledge that. There were 187 deaths on the road in 2016, a 15% increase on the previous year. I do not for one moment suggest that was due to hedgerows but, in fairness to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, he spoke in a practical way about the obstacles some careless landowners present that are a danger to people driving on the roads and, as he indicated, specifically for school buses. Hedgerows can present a danger for bus drivers, oncoming traffic and children travelling on the buses. It is vital that roadside hedges are maintained to ensure the highest standards in road safety and to make sure human lives are protected to the maximum extent.

While the Bill extends hedge management for the additional month of August, Fianna Fáil successfully tabled an amendment on Committee Stage in the Seanad restricting the extension specifically to roadside hedges only, as a proportionate policy approach, taking conservational considerations on board. In addition, changes in the Bill are qualified in that the Minister would have to bring forward regulations to give effect to such changes and specify the period of the extension and the geographic area covered. Regulations currently prohibit cutting, digging, burning or destruction of vegetation from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife.

The main amendments to the Wildlife Act proposed in the Bill make changes on a two-year pilot basis regarding extending the period of hedge cutting of roadside hedges only, and the burning of vegetation. However, this increased flexibility is qualified in that the Minister would have to bring forward regulations to give effect to that and specify the period of the extension and the geographic area covered. During the pilot period, the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht will conduct a research programme to consider if the changes have had any impact on wildlife. That will facilitate a fact-based approach to future decisions in this area.

I will be brief given that Deputy Fitzmaurice has facilitated me with speaking time and I do not wish to overdo it. Canals come under the remit of the Bill and it would be remiss of me not to mention the restoration of the Ulster Canal. I have to be parochial, no more than the Minister. It is a flagship project for the Minister. I hope it will be further enhanced in any developments in the national planning framework or in capital expenditure plans and that we will see the project move forward.

Deputy O'Dowd referred to heritage officers, of which there are 28 in local authorities across the country. The Heritage Council is doing fantastic work. It is really flying the flag in terms of local authorities, education, heritage week and the golden mile competition. All of that is embedding and nurturing an appreciation and passion for the heritage of the country and the island. I acknowledge Anne Marie Ward and Shirley Clerkin, the heritage officers in Cavan and Monaghan county councils. I again thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for facilitating my contribution tonight.

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