Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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248. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to change or extend the dates for the cutting of hedgerows; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2926/15]

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 had been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of section 40 of the Acts and I announced, last year, a consultation process which provided that opportunity with a deadline for the receipt of submissions by 9 January 2015.

All submissions that were received by this deadline will be considered as part of any potential changes in relation to the operation of section 40 of the Acts.