Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.

The General Wild Bird Declaration allows for the control of crows where there is a threat to public health & safety and vector in the spread of animal diseases; to prevent serious damage to livestock; and also in the protection of fauna, notably the nests and young of game birds.

The control method that can be used for all of the above reasons is by ‘shooting with rifle or shotgun and by use of cage traps with or without live decoys subject to conditions’.

This can occur during specific time periods as outlined in the Declaration that can be found here: www.npws.ie/legislation/eu-directives/birds-directive/eu-birds-directive-article-9-derogations.

Licences under Section 35(4) of the Wildlife Acts, as amended, allows for certain use of decoys but may only be granted for ‘scientific research or for another purpose approved of by the Minister’.

The following table details of licences received and issued in the years 2020 to 2023 under S35 of the Wildlife Acts, as amended, for the use of decoy crows: