Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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892. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding seagulls (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14426/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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All wild birds, including seagulls, are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and the European Union's Birds Directive. However, there is a facility under the legislation for a person to obtain a permit, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, to take certain actions, including the scaring, capturing or killing of birds where they are causing serious damage to buildings and other structures, food (including human food products), agricultural crops, forestry plantations, other fauna, etc.

Applications for such permits are considered on a case by case basis and are subject to examination by my Department.

In certain cases the easy availability of food sources and the breeding/nesting period may be contributing factors to the bird behaviours of concern.