Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Boyd Barrett did not make a submission even though he spoke about the public consultation. A number of stakeholder groups contributed, including BirdWatch Ireland, An Taisce, the Irish Farmers' Association and the ICMSA.

I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for his contribution. The dose of reality he brings regarding the obligations on the landowner since 1993 is refreshing.

Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned the regulations. They will permit controlled burning only, and only in years when the winter rainfall is higher than average. Advice will be provided on rotational burning. Also, there will be guidelines to state that burning should not be carried out in blanket bog habitat.

The guidelines will also emphasise that species and habitat considerations should also be to the fore before embarking on a plan to burn and the objective should always be to return the habitat to its pre-burn condition in a reasonable timeframe. Guidance will also be provided on how to carry out controlled burning to benefit certain ground nesting birds such as the hen harrier, the red grouse, the curlew and the golden clover.

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for the second dose of reality as well. The Bill gives limited authority to allow burning in parts of Ireland for some time during March under certain conditions on a pilot basis.

Deputy Catherine Martin raised the issue of people who are fighting the fires. My staff and other public servants have been doing that and I thank them for their bravery. The fires that were set in the Dublin mountains were the result of arson and they are being investigated at the moment. The Deputy's use of the term, "slash and burn", is unfortunate, inaccurate and political. She is simply courting a headline. These are pilot initiatives subject to statutory instruments that will come before the Houses and there will be guidelines. The Deputy also mentioned Ticknock. Regrettably, the setting of those fires follows a pattern of fires in uplands close to large urban centres. We only need look at Manchester this week. Today, my senior officials met Coillte officials to plan a programme of action to monitor and police this antisocial activity, including the possible use of drone technology to catch the perpetrators in the act.

I reassure Deputy Sherlock that this is the eleventh time the Bill has been before the Oireachtas. There have been more than 32 hours of debate prior to tonight and the public consultation to which Deputy Boyd Barrett referred lasted four months and there were almost 200 submissions.

In response to Deputy Tóibín, as Minister, I make regulations when necessary, for example, when weather has been adverse. There is no question of a blanket permission to burn in March. May I beg the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's indulgence for a few more moments?

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