Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. In Ireland, our relatively low cover of native woodland makes our hedgerows exceptionally important for biodiversity. Hedgerows provide botanical diversity, as well as food and shelter for animals, most notably birds. They also act as corridors that connect habitats. They are a vital part of our biodiversity infrastructure. In general, untrimmed thorn hedgerows containing shrubs such as blackthorn, whitethorn, holly, briars and brambles are favoured by birds as they provide protection from predators. Many of Ireland's breeding birds are originally woodland birds and, especially in areas of low woodland cover, are dependent on hedgerows.

As the Senator is aware, Ireland has obligations under the European Union birds directive and the Wildlife Acts to ensure our birds and habitats are adequately protected. Under the directive, member states are required to preserve, maintain or re-establish sufficient diversity and area of habitats for all bird species. For these reasons, hedgerows are provided with specific protection under the Wildlife Act 1976. Under section 40 of the Act, there is a prohibition on the cutting of vegetation and hedges, with strict limited exceptions, from 1 March to 31 August. The current closed period is based primarily on the generally recognised nesting and breeding period for wild birds. There is provision in the legislation for certain limited exceptions in respect of cutting vegetation in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry or for health and safety reasons, the destruction of noxious weeds and cutting roadside hedges for road safety reasons.