Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position in relation to extending the spring gorse burning season; if the season for controlled burning in low risk areas beyond 1 March 2018 will be extended in view of adverse weather conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8900/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

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.

Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, proposals were announced in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis.  The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures is included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016.

The Bill has completed its passage through Seanad Éireann and has completed Second Stage in Dail Éireann.  A date for Committee Stage in the Dail is awaited.

In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts remain in force.