Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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119. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the fact that 80% of wildlife crime has been found to occur on Sundays and that National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers have ceased carrying out enforcement work on that day; the steps he will take to ensure adequate enforcement of legislation in this specialist area.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14403/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Officials of my Department monitor compliance with the Wildlife Acts across the country on an ongoing basis, including at weekends where resources allow and carry out patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as required. They also investigate reports of breaches of the Acts. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Acts to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they see fit. My Department has no evidence to suggest that 80% of wildlife crime occurs on a Sunday.