Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
604. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the present guidance for gardeners on hedge management; whether small-scale hedge trimming is prohibited between the 1 March and 31 August under section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, or whether this activity falls under the exceptions for agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16684/26]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Act focuses on preventing disturbance to birds during the nesting season by limiting the cutting and removing of vegetation (including hedgerows) during the bird nesting period. Section 40 recognises that there may be some circumstances when hedge cutting is required for specific and important reasons and therefore may take place when such activities are usually prohibited.Where hedges within or surrounding private gardens require cutting in the course of normal horticultural practices, or other types of vegetation removal then an exemption from the normal restriction is deemed to apply. However (and as with all other activities deemed to be ‘’exempt’’ of the normal cutting restrictions) if nests or breeding birds are encountered then such works may have to be suspended to avoid disturbance or direct harm. Further guidance on this topic has been prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is available at the link below. assets.gov.ie/static/documents/8cf4374c/FAQ_Bird_nesting_season_and_veg_removal_-Final.pdf
