Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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106. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure the protection of hedgerow habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23721/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Restrictions on cutting hedgerows are set out in Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended. This Act stipulates that it is an offence to destroy vegetation on uncultivated land between 1 March and 31 August each year. It is a significant legal protection for our hedgerows and recognises the importance of this habitat for many species and as wildlife corridors. Good quality hedgerows are especially important to provide food and shelter for our birds and to protect their nests and eggs from predators. By protecting our hedgerows, we are ensuring that our birds and wildlife are protected at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

Breaches of the Wildlife Act constitute a wildlife crime, and evidence of deliberate damage to hedgerows or disturbance to nests will be investigated and may result in prosecution. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department continues to vigorously enforce this and have sent 73 cases for alleged breaches of Section 40 of the Wildlife Act to the Chief State Solicitors Office since the beginning of 2022.

The NPWS also has a Farm Plan Scheme, which, inter alia, supports the creation and enhancement of hedgerows and other linear/connective landscape features of value to wildlife.

My Department is currently undertaking an important project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project, taking in every facet of our wildlife laws. It is examining closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity. A first phase of public consultation was undertaken in 2024. The protection afforded to hedgerow habitats under our legislation is one of the issues that will be closely examined as part of this project.