Written answers
Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Wildlife Protection
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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51. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to initiate a national oiled wildlife response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22064/24]
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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52. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the support he is providing to volunteer groups to help with the effects of the recently found oiled seabirds along the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22065/24]
Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
As part of the combined response to the discovery of oiled seabirds off the South-East coast, officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is part of my Department, have been liaising with the coastguard and the relevant local authorities in relation to both the response to and investigation into this pollution event. The NPWS has also been in contact with non-governmental organisations such as Birdwatch Ireland and Kildare Wildlife Rescue who have played a vital and much appreciated role in dealing with the birds affected by this serious event.
In terms of on-the-ground response, the NPWS has monitored the coastline and collected oiled birds, both dead and alive. The live oiled birds collected were sent to Kildare Wildlife Rescue for appropriate care. The effort to rehabilitate and release these birds is ongoing.
In light of the additional costs borne by the voluntary/third party bodies assisting in this emergency, I have committed to making funding of €50,000 available via the NPWS to further aid with the rescue and rehabilitation of oiled birds. The NPWS will continue to liaise with bodies involved in the response to this emergency as well as supporting efforts to trace the pollutant.
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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53. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the outcome of a NPWS investigation into the legality or otherwise of squirrel traps that were used at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin earlier this year. [21976/24]
Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I understand that the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are investigating the alleged use of squirrel traps at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
The grey squirrel is an invasive alien species which was first brought into Ireland in 1911. It quickly established itself in the midlands and went on to expand across the entire eastern half of the country. This in turn led to the decline of the native red squirrel from much of the east of Ireland. The grey squirrel can cause significant damage to broadleaved trees as well as predating birds eggs and chicks. The species is listed on the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulations and Ireland is required to manage the population.
As the matter is still under investigation I will not be in a position to comment further at this time.
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