Written answers

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

EU Directives

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of her Department’s decision to exclude public health from the reasons provided in the derogation schedule 2 for 2017/18 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43543/17]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of her Department’s decision to restrict and zone the derogation schedule 2 to apply only in Balbriggan and its districts (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43544/17]

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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264. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for her Department’s decision to exclude public health from the reasons given in the derogation schedule 2 for 2017/2018. [43556/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257, 258 and 264 together.

The EU Birds Directive allows Member States to make derogations from its protective measures in respect of certain wild bird species in certain circumstances – for example, where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety or to air safety.  The Declarations to implement these derogations are renewed annually and an annual review of the Declarations is undertaken prior to their expiry.

This year’s review took into account the issue of seagulls in the North Dublin area especially in Balbriggan which has been the subject of correspondence to my Department from some community groups and other residents which proposed the inclusion of seagull species in the Declaration.

Following consideration of the matter, the recent  Declaration, which is effective from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018, includes methods to control seagull species in the Balbriggan area for public safety reasons.  There is no requirement to specify further reasons.  The control method can involve the removal of eggs and nests only; the culling of seagulls is not permitted.

These changes are being introduced on a one year pilot basis and will be subject to review as part of a wider comprehensive review of the operation of the derogations next year.  This comprehensive review will take account of all relevant factors, including perceived threats, distribution and population data available in respect of all the bird species in the declaration.

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her or the NPWS's attention have been drawn to the scientific study by a person (details supplied) dealing with AMR in wildlife and the policy implications both for public health and for wildlife management functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43545/17]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her or the NPWS's attention have been drawn to the scientific study published by the national veterinary authorities of Serbia dealing with AMR specifically in gulls and the serious public health implications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43546/17]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether scientific studies (details supplied) have implications for the NPWS's determinations in respect of the public health criterion in the derogation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43547/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 261, inclusive, together.

The studies referred to in the Questions have been brought to the attention of my Department and will  also be brought to the attention of the experts  to be appointed to carry out a review of the derogation referred to.

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