Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is about the protection of animals from poison. Amendment No. 22 replaces the section as was presented in this House. That followed difficulty in overlap between the legislative area of my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Therefore, the specific issues we discussed concerning wildlife remain within the remit of the wildlife Acts. While a one-stop-shop might have been desirable some issues defy being easily categorised. Therefore, the section does not replace but adds to the existing legislation on poison.

In essence, the section outlines that when one lays poison one must take account of domestic animals and to alert their owners by means of suitable signage where the land is accessible. I have addressed an issue raised by Deputy Tom Barry about poison laid as part of a programme throughout the year. The amendment provides that only a single notice need be lodged with the local authority rather than multiple notices if one is putting out poison, for example, every second day for a week. It is a sensible, pragmatic approach to the issue.