Written answers

Thursday, 17 May 2018

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Wildlife Protection

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the involvement of the Defence Forces in a pilot training scheme in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to combat wildlife crime will be considered. [20409/18]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department investigate breaches of both the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 to 2015. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Wildlife Acts and European Communities Regulations to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they see fit.

Of my Department’s total staff, I understand that some 330 work in the area of natural heritage through the NPWS of my Department. In addition, my Department takes on in the region of 70 seasonal staff during the year to assist the NPWS. Frontline conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities.

Within this staffing context, officials of my Department carry out scientific research, survey work and monitor compliance with national and European law in relation to nature conservation across the country. They conduct patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of national and EU legislation, as required, and many of these officers carry out work in more than one county. They also investigate reports of breaches of legislation including illegal snaring of badgers, hare lurching as well monitoring compliance at coursing events etc. Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

It should also be noted that the Department of Defence already assists my Department in the provision of aerial monitoring of certain sites and habitats and my Department will continue to liaise with that Department in providing assistance in investigating breaches of wildlife legislation.

I would point out that since 2015 my Department has brought over 50 separate prosecutions for breaches of wildlife legislation. These prosecutions have include illegal badger baiting, hare lurching, deer hunting, poisoning and shooting of endangered bird species as well as illegally cutting hedges and burning vegetation. My Department will continue our covert actions with other agencies, including An Garda Siochana and the I.S.P.C.A to counteract all illegal activities.

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