Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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247. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Irish-based science and Irish scientific egg-laying data used to inform the changes made to the burning dates as per section 40 of the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18922/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 prohibited the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 15 April to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. The start of the closed period was extended under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 to 1 March in recognition of the generally accepted nesting and breeding season in order to afford further protection to wild birds. The change in dates would have been informed by scientific advice at the time but unfortunately there is no record in my Department of the data requested by the Deputy. 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.

I have established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider all submissions received by the deadline and to report back to me with a range of proposals.

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.