Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 1356: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that sufficient legislative protection exists to protect the stock of holly trees in the country. [1422/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The holly is a common shrub or small tree of deciduous woodlands and hedgerows, especially in upland areas. I am aware of concerns recently expressed regarding the impact of cutting of holly from hedgerows. Cutting of holly for traditional Christmas use can indeed cause unsightly localised damage but holly is extremely resilient and grows back strongly after having been cut. This is one of the reasons it is a successful hedgerow tree.

Holly has not been a protected species under the Wildlife Acts and it is not considered appropriate at this stage to change this position.