John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the declaration under regulation 3(1)(A) of the European Communities Wildlife Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (S.I. No. 254 of 1986) allows for derogation to control both feral and wood pigeons for crop protection and in case of feral pigeons the declaration allows for an additional month of control for that purpose; if he will outline the rationale for this distinction bearing in mind that wood pigeons would seem more likely to cause crop damage than feral pigeons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35712/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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All wild birds are protected under the European Community Birds Directive. Member States may derogate from this protection where certain wild bird species are causing damage to crops, livestock, flora and fauna or represent a threat to public health or to air safety. Pursuant to regulation 3(1)(a) of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, I recently signed declarations for the 12-month period from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013 which allow certain wild bird species to be controlled in certain situations. There is no difference in the time period allowed for the control of woodpigeon and feral pigeon. These declarations may be accessed through the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, www.npws.ie.