John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

238. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the additional measures being put in place by his Department to stop the growing problem of illegal wildlife hunting and trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6910/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Wildlife crime is a very serious issue, which may encompass breaches of national, European and international legislation that protects wildlife species.

Combatting wildlife crime is a core mandate of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in its mission to ‘protect nature’. That is why a dedicated Wildlife Crime Directorate was established in NPWS to address wildlife crime. The NPWS takes a multi faceted approach through traditional law enforcement measures together with community engagement, public awareness and education.

In line with international best practice, a multi-agency approach is utilised where appropriate to investigate crimes, leveraging our joint protocol with An Garda Siochána and working hand in hand with other enforcement agencies and departments and others e.g. ISPCA, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Customs.

The NPWS uses locally appropriate targeted responses, patrols and surveillance (ground and aerial) to detect illegal activities. In recent months the NPWS has undertaken a series of targeted patrols and checkpoints with An Garda Síochána to deter and detect illegal wildlife hunting activity. Reports of wildlife crime made to the NPWS are given the utmost attention, and where sufficient evidence is available, a thorough investigation will be carried out in collaboration with relevant authorities and prosecutions taken if feasible to do so.