Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the NPWS review, including the establishment of a wildlife crime investigation unit; if the body will be empowered to investigate the origins of forest fires; the powers it will have to penalise those responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23011/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The NPWS review is underway with three distinct strands being undertaken concurrently.

- Strand one is focusing on stakeholder engagement (internal and external)

- Strand two is focusing on reviewing the capacity and resources of the NPWS.

- Strand three consists of a comparative desktop analysis of resources/structures of similar organisations in other jurisdictions and an overview of the role and responsibilities of other state bodies and their relationship with NPWS.

The findings of these three strands will inform the final report, which is being prepared by the Independent Chair, Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin. The review is comprehensive and takes account of NPWS full role, in terms of nature conservation, enhancing our natural heritage sites and enforcement of wildlife legislation. I hope to be in receipt of the final report from the independent Chair by this summer.

My Department is simultaneously developing a number of initiatives to deal with wildlife crime. A process is already underway on the engagement of 60 conservation rangers around the country to add to the resources available to deal with a range of functions including wildlife crime. At present arrangements are in hand for the establishment of a new Wildlife Crime Unit in my Department.