Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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904. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the recent public consultation conducted on Section 40 of the Irish Wildlife Act, the way any change to the section, if such is to be made, would be made; the instrument that will be used to amend the Irish Wildlife Acts; the time frame for any findings and recommendations to be made to her from the working group she has established within her Department to consider the matter; when she will make a decision on the matter; the persons, bodies, sections and perspectives that are represented within the working group; if the working group is comprised only of her Department's staff or if she will provide the names of other representatives that are involved; if she will provide a copy of the terms of reference or instruction for the working group; if she or her Department solicited any submissions from any groups or organisations on this matter; if any submissions or comments were received on the matter outside of the mechanism notified for the public consultation; if she will clarify any distinction being made between the different types of submissions received; if different weighting or treatment will be afforded to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14163/15]

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 of 9 January 2015 for the receipt of submissions. The submissions received range from detailed papers from stakeholders to individuals expressing support for one outcome or another.

I have established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider all submissions received by the deadline. I have not given any directions to the Working Group other than to consider all the submissions received in full and to report back to me with a range of proposals.

While no further submissions or views have been sought from stakeholders, I have on occasion met with stakeholders on a range of issues, who have availed of the opportunity of re-iterating views expressed in their submissions in response to the public consultation.

Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts would require amending legislation.