Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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235. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the review of section 40 of the Wildlife Act, as regards the extension of the season for controlled burning of mountain gorse and for hedge cutting, if she will finalise the necessary legislation in this Government's term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44525/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, 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. In that regard, a review of the current legislative provisions was initiated to ensure that they remain both effective and balanced.

The submissions received, during a public consultation process on the matter, have been published on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at http://. Following the end of the public consultation period, I established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider the submissions received and to report back to me with a range of proposals. I expect to announce the outcome of the review in the near future.

Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012, would require amending legislation.