Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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624. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has received responses from the four Dublin local authorities to his letter of 18 October 2024 regarding Ireland’s Obligation under the EU Birds Directive; for an update on the work the four bodies are undertaking with the National Parks and Wildlife Service on a comprehensive review of inland sites used by brent geese to inform an overarching plan for the conservation of this species and the management of the sites that the birds use; if the local authorities have sought any additional resources to undertake this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3303/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A letter issued to the Executives of the four Dublin local authorities on 18 October 2024 to encourage the authorities to come together to commence work on a Strategic Plan to consider the balanced and sustainable use of amenity areas in Dublin by light-bellied brent geese.

This Plan will gather the best available scientific information to inform an analysis of the current and future use of amenity areas in Dublin by brent geese. Where changes in land use are being proposed, the work that underpins the Plan will assist in ensuring that this is in line with EU and international conservation obligations.

Positive responses have been received from all of the Local Authorities and the next step is to convene the steering group in Quarter 1 2025. I understand that discussions are already taking place between the Dublin local authorities in that respect. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is committed to supporting the local authorities through active discussion and participation in the Steering Group.

The question of additional resources is a matter for each of the local authorities to consider.