Results 5,501-5,520 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: The birds are protected.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: We as a member state take our role very seriously under the birds and the habitats directives. We have to report back regularly to the Commission on the steps we are taking to protect birds. As far as I am concerned, we are doing everything we can. Europe is home to more than 500 wild bird species, but 32% of them are not in a good conservation status. The birds directive, which came into...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: That can happen.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I do not accept that.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: If the Deputy has concerns about specific birds, I can revert to him about them but the Bill in no way tries to put the life of any birds in a precarious or sensitive position. It tries to look after them. It does not do what the Deputy or BirdWatch Ireland claim. I do not know if he is referencing a particular species.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: We had a detailed-----

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I am trying to establish exactly what point the Deputy is making.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: Sure.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: We had a detailed meeting with the Commission on the Bill in February 2018 and officials did not raise issues regarding the Bill with the Department. They had no concern in respect of birds. Deputy Josepha Madigan: We had a detailed meeting with European Commission officials on the Bill in February 2018 and officials did not raise issues with the Bill with the Department. They had no...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: The provisions in the Bill relating to hedge cutting are being introduced on a pilot basis and they provide for regulated cutting on a restricted part of hedgerows in one particular month. They have a limited lifespan of two years. It is a crime to touch a nest and that offence is in existence anyway.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: Any person cutting a hedge where there is a nest is obliged to check for nests beforehand. There are enforcement provisions under the Wildlife Acts in this regard.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I do not want to cut across the Deputy when he is speaking, but as we are only on the definitions section, I wonder-----

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I just want to bring it to the notice of the Vice Chairman.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I am certainly not suggesting that.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: No, I am not. I was only responding to Deputy Peadar Tóibín.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I certainly would not limit the Deputy's contributions.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I am not.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I look forward to hearing what the Deputy has to say.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I simply wanted to stick to the amendment, but the Deputy is entitled to say what he likes.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2018)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for his contribution. It is important to say the legislation does not abrogate the need for the directive. Birds and animals are and will remain protected. There was a successful prosecution of a case involving hedge-cutting in Monaghan in February. I also acknowledge the practicalities mentioned by Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. On the curlew, to which Deputy Eamon Ryan...