Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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666. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to extend the hedge cutting time period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6120/15]

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. 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.

I have established a Working Group within my Department to consider all submissions received by this deadline. I have asked the Working Group to report back to me with a range of proposals promptly.

Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation would require amending legislation. It will not be feasible to introduce any potential changes to section 40 of the Wildlife Acts prior to this year’s closed period which commences on 1 March.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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667. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a review of section 40 of the Wildlife Act, as amended, or any regulations under the same Act, has taken place, or is under way; the purpose of this review; the purpose of the consultation which took place over the Christmas 2014 period on section 40 of the Act; if amending legislation is planned to be moved, as a consequence, or if a new ministerial order is envisaged; the timeframe envisaged for same; if she will provide all ministerial orders and requests made under the terms of the Act in 2014 and to date in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6126/15]

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. 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.

I have established a Working Group within my Department to consider all submissions received by this deadline. I have asked the Working Group to report back to me with a range of proposals promptly.

Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation would require amending legislation. It will not be feasible to introduce any potential changes to section 40 of the Wildlife Acts prior to this year’s closed period which commences on 1 March.

No Ministerial Orders were made under the provisions of the Wildlife Acts in 2014 or, to date, in 2015.