Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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229. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a three-month derogation extension until the end of July 2022 was granted for the shooting of wild birds, including wood pigeon; the scientific evidence of serious crop damage that is being used to justify the derogation; and, if no such scientific evidence exists, if he will cancel the derogation. [35716/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Wild Bird Declarations were extended by a period of three months to allow for the completion of the review of submissions received as part of the public consultation process, the receipt of legal advice and other internal discussions in relation to species included in the Declarations.

My Department is committed to carrying out a review of all the species on the Declaration list on a phased basis. Last year, for example, a survey was undertaken on the gull population. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department intends to carry out a review of the issue of pigeon damage to crops during the summer months, including the collection of new scientific data, with a view to informing decisions for future declarations.