Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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350. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action which can be taken in respect of crows in locations in which they have become a serious and unusual nuisance to human habitation. [32733/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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All birds, including crows, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities Birds Directive.Under the terms of the Directive, all Member States of the EU are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats.

Under Article 9 (a) of the Directive Member States may however derogate in the interests of: public health and safety; air safety; and to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water; and for the protection of flora and fauna.

These derogations are achieved by way of declarations, which are made on an annual basis under the European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, as amended, which allows the capturing and killing of some listed bird species in certain situations. The hooded (grey) crow is included in the declaration which allows for the capturing and killing of the bird species in cases such as preventing serious damage to livestock and where they are considered a threat to public health in the spread of animal diseases.

In situations where serious damage is being caused by protected wild birds such as crows to agricultural crops, forestry plantations, other fauna, etc., there is also a facility under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts for a person to obtain a permit from my Department to take action. Applications for such permits are considered by my Department, on a case by case basis, and can include the scaring, capturing or killing of such species. The applications are subject to examination by regional conservation staff in my Department.