Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

279. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason his Department chose not to follow the NPWS recommendation (details supplied) to prosecute the Office of Public Works under Regulations 51(2)(b) and 51 (2)(d) and 65 of the Birds and Habitats Regulation 2011 in his November 2020 Case Report for the Wilful disturbance to bats, and their breed and resting places, at Emo Court, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is aware that Emo Court House hosts an important roost for Brown Long-Eared Bats, and is further aware that complex stabilization and restorations works were undertaken by the OPW at the House over recent years.

My Department has been in ongoing contact with the OPW in regard to its obligations under the Wildlife Acts and the modalities of compliance in the context of its natural and fixed heritage obligations at the site, the complexity of the works undertaken and the matrix of dynamics connecting the fixed and fragile structure and the natural habitat and ecosystems connected to it. Concerns were raised in relation to the works. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department investigated this matter and such issues as arose were resolved with the OPW.

To assist public authorities in meeting their obligation to respect the strict protection given by EU law to bats and their roosts, the NPWS published a series of guidance documents dealing with the practical aspects of bat conservation. These are available at www.npws.ie. My Department is happy to work with public authorities in order to assist them in meeting their obligations.