Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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394. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the operation of Sections 39 and 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 and Section 7 of the Heritage Act 2018 to address repeated incidents occurring annually of illegal land burning. [14001/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently conducting a review of wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project, taking in every facet of our wildlife laws. It will entail extensive public consultation. It will examine closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

I am keen that our laws offer the best protection possible for wildlife and biodiversity, are based on sound scientific and ecological advice, and strike a fair balance between economic and social needs and the needs of wildlife. The issue of burning is one area that will be looked at closely as part of this review.