Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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290. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of the findings by an organisation (details supplied) in Northern Ireland in relation to the prevalence of badger baiting; if he has statistics on the numbers of badgers killed in badger baiting here; if so, the number of individuals involved; the number of detections and prosecutions over the past ten years; if he will carry out an investigation into badger baiting, similar to that carried out by the organisation in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15058/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the recent report by an animal welfare organisation in relation to badger baiting in Northern Ireland. I strongly condemn the unlawful killing or injuring of any badgers which are a protected species in Ireland under the Wildlife Acts. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff of my Department are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime. Staff in NPWS are designated as Authorised Persons under the Wildlife Acts and Authorised Officers under the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and in that context they have powers of enforcement to deal with wildlife crime, including badger baiting.

The Strategic Action Plan for NPWS will equip it with the organisational capability and supporting structures to enable it to deliver its mandate in protecting our natural heritage. Additional resources are being recruited across all grades and specialisms in NPWS and I have secured agreement to increase the number of conservation rangers to 120 with recruitment already underway to achieve this.

My Department do not hold records of the number of badgers killed in badger baiting or the number of individuals involved. It is normal process that suspected breaches of the law are investigated. Consideration must be and is given to a range of issues, including whether it is considered that the evidence of a crime is sufficient before a decision is taken whether or not to proceed with seeking a prosecution. For the period 2021 to 2022 NPWS have records of 9 suspected badger baiting incidences reported to it. For the period 2013 to 2022, for when records are readily available, there were 4 prosecutions taken by NPWS for interference, disturbance or destruction of badger setts with one further case with summons currently being prepared and an ongoing field investigation with a view to submitting a prosecution file when complete if that is then deemed appropriate

My Department is working closely with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, An Garda Síochána and other enforcement agencies and with animal welfare organsiations such as the ISPCA and DSPCA in relation to this type of activity. A joint protocol is already in place between NPWS and An Garda Síochána on tackling wildlife crime and to establish closer working relationships between both organisations. This protocol provides for formal liaison arrangements for sharing of information and the carrying out of joint operations in relation to wildlife crime and badger baiting has been identified as a priority here. NPWS are initiating a series of practical training sessions for NPWS staff in collaboration with An Garda Síochána and other relevant enforcement organisations for various wildlife crimes. Investigating badger digging and baiting are one of the modules scheduled and part of this initiative will be to look at ways of improving the cross agency response to the wildlife and animal welfare crime of badger baiting by optimising and focusing respective Agency resources.

The NPWS is also working to review, consolidate and modernise the Wildlife Acts and the Birds and Habitats Regulations. The updates to this legislation will be wide-ranging but will have a particular focus on deterrence and on improving the enforceability of wildlife laws.