Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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686. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the gorse burning season in 2015 will be extended beyond the current date in line with Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48121/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Any change to that period would require amending legislation. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and therefore a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced.

Stakeholders have been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of these controls and I recently announced a consultation process which provides that opportunity. All views received will be considered as part of any future decision and I encourage interested parties to make a submission by the deadline of 9 January 2015.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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687. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a group (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the consultative committee to help address the problem of farmers being at a loss because of lands being sterilised because of the hen harrier; if she will review all avenues to resolve this hugely damaging restriction for landowners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48172/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I met with representatives of the group referred to in the Deputy's Question last week and I am considering their request for inclusion within the consultative committee. With regard to the issue generally, an Inter-Departmental Steering Group has been established to draw up a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier and is examining all of the issues at hand, including forestry consents, planning permissions for wind farms, and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. The Steering Group is continuing its work and is due to meet again this week.