Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1050.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied). [31451/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1051.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied). [31452/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1052.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied). [31453/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1053.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied). [31454/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1054.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied). [31455/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1055.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31457/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1056.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31458/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1057.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31459/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1058.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31460/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1050 to 1058, inclusive, together.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has primary responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves. The mission of the NPWS, as stated in its Strategic Plan 2023-2025, is to Protect Nature.

Unlike in the UK, Gulls were not known to have nested in significant numbers in urban areas in Ireland until the turn of this century (i.e. after the Seabird 2000 census). To take account of this change in Ireland, Seabirds Count (2023) included a dedicated urban gull survey and estimated the Herring Gull breeding in urban environments at 7,783 – 10,120 nesting pairs. In 2019, NPWS had reported an increase of circa 87% over the short term i.e. 1998/2002 – 2015/2018 but a long term decline of 33% since the mid-1980s. The report clearly stated the urban gull population was not systematically surveyed for the period 2015-2018; the Urban Gull Survey was then undertaken and used in Seabirds Count.

The summed Seabirds Count estimate of both natural and urban nesting Herring Gull is 18,645 (17,485 – 19,822) nesting pairs. Assuming that the numbers of urban gull nesting in Irish urban environments during the 1980s were relatively very low, then comparing the Seabird Colony Register population estimate of the mid-1980s to the Seabirds Count estimate, results in an increase of some 22%. However, when the contemporaneous population estimate (both urban and natural nesters) is compared with the Operation Seafarer count of 43,710 nesting pairs during the period 1969 – 1970 for Ireland, a decrease of 57% is calculated.

The Seabirds Count publication uses seabird monitoring data and information collected over decades, funded by NPWS and other parties, for a range of uses, such as reporting under the Birds Directive to the EU, and not specifically for the purpose of the publication. Data already collected by NPWS and these other parties for these other purposes was then collated to produce the analysis that is reported in the Seabirds Count publication. NPWS contributed £4,100 to the costs of the publication.

The information requested regarding briefing material provided to me in relation to the extension of the Wild Birds Declaration in 2023 was prepared; however, it would appear that due to an oversight the information wasn't issued. This has now been sent to the Deputies who requested it.

The information requested regarding briefing materials and advices provided to me in relation to the Wild Bird Declarations for 2024 is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

There are other legal methods available that can be used by individuals to control protected wild birds, such as gulls, where they are causing serious damage. The facility to apply for a Section 42 permit under the Wildlife Acts will continue to be available.

Any issue that arises in relation to public health is a matter for the Department of Health.

The tenure of the second Chair of the Consultative Committee on the Impact of Gulls in Urban Areas is as outlined in the question i.e. December 2020 to January 2021. The Chair came to the conclusion that it was not practicable to take any further his chairing of the Consultative Committee. He did not believe that the Consultative Committee was the appropriate means of making progress. Attempts were made to secure another Chair; however, the nominee failed to take up the position at that time. All of my legal questions in relation to this issue from that time onwards were dealt with by my Department’s legal advisor.

The decision to remove gulls from the Wild Birds Declaration was based on the fact that there was no evidence available that the Declaration had been utilised and that the North-west Irish Sea SPA had been created which extends offshore along the coasts of Louth, Meath & Dublin, which includes a number of gull species as qualifying interests.