Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts she has made since the wildfires of spring 2015 which threatened large parts of Killarney National Park in County Kerry to ensure that the national park will not be as vulnerable to wildfires, deliberately started or otherwise, in spring 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43460/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Significant environmental damage is caused by wildfires. This issue has become more acute in recent years, as evidenced by the spate of fires in various parts of the country, including Co. Kerry, last spring. The main source of such wildfires is thought to be the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the consequences. My Department is one of a number of agencies represented on the Inter-Agency Gorse Fire Group that explores issues surrounding such fires. An Garda Síochána, which is also represented on the Group, leads any criminal investigation. My Department, of course, cooperates fully with Garda investigations and any other investigations that may be initiated by other statutory bodies.

Since 2011, my Department has taken over 40 prosecutions against individuals for breaches of section 40 of the Wildlife Acts. Fines were imposed in most cases, ranging from €50 to €600. In some cases, the defendants were also ordered by the Court to pay legal costs and expenses.

Members of An Garda Síochána are also authorised officers to prosecute breaches of the Wildlife Acts. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and with An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, to investigate the causes of wild fires which have affected Killarney National Park and, where evidence is forthcoming, to pursue appropriate action under the Wildlife Act or other legislation.