Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for coming to the House.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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The Minister is most welcome to the Chamber. This is an issue that has been raised with me by local councillors in my home county of Wexford, near Mount Leinster, but also those in Waterford, affecting the Comeragh Mountains. The key issue is that there is a feeling in farming communities that the restrictions in place to control and restrict the controlled burning of scrubland on our mountain ranges, particularly in areas grazed by sheep, are too onerous and that there is not clear communication from the National Parks and Wildlife Service about when the burning can take place and what exactly can be incorporated. In my own of Kiltealy, there were quite severe fires about two years ago. Thankfully, no property was damaged and nobody was injured but the key takeaway from that was that the fires that spontaneously broke out would not have happened to the same extent had there been more controlled burning in place by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This is an opportunity to bring clarity to the situation and confirm what exactly the position is as regards controlled burning. Is it possible for local farmers, particularly in mountain commonage areas, to engage in it?

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Byrne for raising this really important topic. We are all conscious of the risk due to extreme temperatures in Europe at present. High temperatures bring with them an increased risk of wildfires. We currently do not have the same degree of danger in Ireland but nonetheless, extreme care must be taken, particularly in summer months when rainfall levels are lower, temperatures are higher and more people are enjoying the outdoors. In the forecast for the coming days, we are expecting temperatures to increase and that brings increased risks as well.

The management of uplands and mountain grazing comes with its own unique challenges. As Minister for agriculture, I fully appreciate that the mechanical methods of managing vegetation on low land may not be as practical an option for any upland areas where tractors cannot travel to top or mulch strong vegetation. Controlled burning therefore has a role to play as part of an overall land management package and as part of a toolbox for wildfire prevention. However, burning of any lands needs to be done in the correct manner and in full compliance with national legislation.

Under section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, growing vegetation cannot be burned between 1 March and 31 August of any given year - referred to as the closed period - on any land not yet cultivated. This Act is the responsibility of the Minister for housing. It is an issue I understand from the farmer's perspective but it crosses over to the Department of housing because it has responsibility for the Act. Furthermore, where land has been burned unlawfully between 1 March and 31 August, it is not in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation and therefore is not eligible for area-based payments such as the basic income support for sustainability, BISS, as it is known formally, or the single farm payment, for the remainder of the year. Where farmers' land has been burned through no fault of their own, an appeals process is in place.

To assist farmers, my Department has produced a prescribed burning code of practice in order to provide guidance to landowners who use controlled burning as a land management tool and a shorter version previously issued to farmers in high fire risk areas throughout the country. Both publications on my Department's website are from the forestry division at Johnstown Castle in the Senator's county of Wexford.

To date in 2025, my Department has issued seven fire danger notices in advance of high-risk weather phases, with the most recent one in May being a condition orange high-risk fire notice. These notices issue guidance based on weather conditions and while of huge importance to landowners, they also give clear information to the general public and forest visitors. That too is really important because we all have a role and responsibility here. As we head into a period of settled weather and increased temperatures, we will, as always, keep conditions under review and, where necessary, issue further notices.

Controlled burning carried out at the correct time of the year in suitable conditions and in a responsible manner has a role to play but extreme care, planning and preparation are needed. Irresponsible use of fire poses risks to life, property and habitats. I encourage farmers in upland areas who are struggling to maintain their lands and fear that a build of vegetation can lead to an increased risk of wildfire to explore alternative means of control with their agricultural adviser.

As with all lands, it is important that the maintenance activities employed by the farmer are designed with the local conditions in mind to ensure the best outcomes for the lands and take account of all the relevant regulatory requirements. The agri-climate rural environment scheme, or ACRES as we know it, and the co-operation project teams are examples of the support that is in place for farmers and commonages to identify the best means not only of controlling vegetation but also improving upland habitats over time.

While landowners need to be cognisant of the risk of wildfires and uncontrolled burning, I emphasise the important role members of the public also have in reducing the danger by ensuring they always take care when out in upland areas that are susceptible to wildfires. Visitors to rural areas should behave responsibly in relation to wildfires and fire risks and report fires promptly to emergency services via 112 where they see fires in the countryside.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for bringing a bit of clarity to this situation because there is a genuine feeling among farmers that attempts are being made to fully prohibit controlled burning. While I recognise that there is a closed period, this fact may not be as well known among farmers as it should be. From speaking to many farmers, particularly those in Kiltealy, which is on the Wexford side of Mount Leinster, I know there was a substantial fire in that area. There were also fires in north Wexford near Gorey only a few short weeks ago.

I thank the Minister for his response. I encourage his Department to do a bit more to promote what can be done in this regard. There was a feeling there was a total prohibition on this or that perhaps a total prohibition was coming in. I recognise that that is not the case.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Raising awareness is important. The role farmers play with our advisers is important, too. Positive, proactive measures can be taken to not only reduce the risk of wildfires, but also protect habitats and help farmers to farm in a more proactive way. Uplands and mountain grazing is an exceptionally important part of the agricultural landscape. It requires careful management to ensure the risk of wildfire and associated risks are reduced.

This is an opportune time for the Senator to raise the topic in the House in light of the forecasts of 27°C and 28°C we are potentially seeing for this weekend. In some ways, the work farmers could do during the winter in these spaces is important. They could plan that work out for next winter when they come out of the closed period after the end of August. That work could be planned to ensure risks were reduced for future years. Recent years have shown that Ireland is not immune to the high wildfire risks we see in Europe. We only have to look at Marseille in France last night where a significant wildfire closed the airport and had an impact.

In recent years, we have seen considerable damage caused to forestry, uplands and property due to wildfires. It can also have an impact on farmers’ direct payments and livelihoods. Preventative measures, such as controlled burning at the correct time, can assist to reduce vegetation burden. The prescribed code of practice is there. It is important to make farmers aware of that in the Senator’s area and the Comeragh Mountains because those alternative means of management should be explored. You plan them now for the off season and carry them out when it is not the closed season. Both landowners and any user of our upland areas need to take care, particularly during the periods of warm weather, to ensure the risk of wildfire is minimised for all of our sakes.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for coming to Seanad Éireann to answer those questions. We will now be joined by the Minister of State, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, for the next Commencement matter.