Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the criteria relating to cutting hedgerows and the cutting for road safety; if land owners can cut for road safety reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31257/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2010 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife, from 1 March to 31 August. Hedgerows and scrub are important as wildlife habitats and they need to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity.

These provisions are subject to certain specific exceptions, one of which permits these activities during the prohibited period on grounds of public health and safety, notably where road hazards may require hedge trimming or vegetation clearance.