Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the efforts that will be made in 2011 to tackle instances of wildfire outbreak and monitor the burning activities of landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9283/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following the large number of forest fires which occurred during 2010, a Working Group with representatives from a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders was established by my Department. The ten recommendations made by the Group were accepted earlier this year and are currently being implemented.

During 2011 there is a twofold focus to the Department's efforts to tackle this problem. First of all, an extensive nationwide publicity campaign is underway to bring home the message to landowners and farmers of the dangers and the consequences of the illegal burning of vegetation on agricultural land. A series of advertisements is appearing in the farming press, together with press releases and media articles, with the common theme of the prevention of loss of life, livelihoods, homes, forests and property. The aim over time is to change the mindset regarding the use of fire in traditional agricultural practices. Secondly, an enhanced system to notify my Department of forest fires has been introduced, which will result in the better monitoring of burning activities. More importantly, through follow-up field inspections those individuals found to be engaging in illegal burning will face the consequences of their actions, through penalties under the Single Payment Scheme and Court prosecutions.