Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the answer the Minister of State was provided with. He mentioned limited exceptions, which I know includes roadside safety. If there is a safety issue, hedges can be trimmed during the off-season. He also mentioned, and it is in the Wildlife Act, that one of the limited exceptions is "in the ordinary course of agriculture". I ask the Minister of State to get back to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, come back to me and clarify if that will qualify people in the situation I mentioned of being unable to complete their ACRES conditions. "[I]n the ordinary course of agriculture" to me would fit that bill. If so, we need clarification on how those farmers would get permission under that exception and who they would inform if they have to do that work post 1 March. Clarity on that would be helpful to everybody concerned. While I have read that Act and those exceptions, it does not go on to say how to enact the exceptions. We all know you cannot just go out and do it. Neighbours and people passing will know it is out of season and will not know of the limited exceptions. I presume there is a system whereby you inform somebody or get permission to do it outside of season.