Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have been fortunate in the work I do to travel the length and breadth of this wonderful country of ours. It brings me such joy to see all the wonderful, beautiful wildlife we have in Ireland. Unfortunately, what is being proposed in the key provisions of this Bill would add one more month to the period during which hedgerows can be cut and destroyed. The latter will allow hedge cutting and removal in August and more burning in the mountains and uplands in March. This will have a damaging impact on nesting birds and the life cycles of other wildlife. While I am repeating much of what others have said, I think it is important that it should be said.During these months birds are trying to lay eggs and raise chicks, and other wildlife, such as bees and hedgehogs, are still dependent on these ecosystems. Our wildlife requires protection, at least until the end of August and in some cases well into September.

I have been inundated, as we all have, with letters and e-mails from citizens from all around Ireland who are extremely concerned about what is being proposed in this Bill. I have been touched by all the correspondence I received and I felt it was important that people's voices are heard here in Seanad Éireann. This is an e-mail I received from a woman in Tipperary and I hope she is watching in today because I was moved by it. It states:

Dear Ms. Black,

As I write this email I am sitting looking out my kitchen window at the bird feeders hanging on a nearby tree. I cannot tell you how much pleasure I get from looking at the birds who visit this feeder each day. I am more than certain that the pleasure I get observing their daily activities has helped me to be a happy and content person. Lots of my neighbours, many elderly, also have a huge love of nature and speak to me frequently about observing and feeding the little birds who visit their gardens. These birds fly to the feeders from the nearby hedgerows.

It has come to my attention that section 40 of the Wildlife Act is to be amended to allow hedge cutting in the month of August. From observing birds, I know that many of the species are still sitting on eggs or feeding their young chicks, which are still in the nests, in the month of August. This was especially apparent in the last two years when because of cold and wet weather the Spring/Summer season was delayed by almost 4 weeks. Hedge cutting in the month of August would be detrimental to so many species, many of which are already in decline.

I am not a member of any political party or group; I am just a concerned nature lover who is extremely upset at the prospect of what this amendment to the wild life act will do to the beautiful nature I see around me daily. I am pleading with you to do everything in your powers to block this amendment which in my opinion if passed will have a huge impact on our lovely countryside.

Thank you for reading this request; I am placing my trust in you.

This letter says it all. It brings us back to basics, to the importance of protecting our wildlife. I am not against progress and I understand that we are entitled to make a living, but it is really important that we think of the bigger picture here and what is good for us all.

The changes to the Wildlife Act proposed in the Bill are not supported by scientific data and do not improve the laws of road safety. We need a heritage Bill that is supported by strong Irish data. We need a Bill that is more substantial, that could help all farmers and their communities. We have a chance to do something right for the planet, right for our own personal legacies and right for nature.