Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 June 2025
106. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will implement measures on the policy and local and city council level to ensure hedge-cutting during nesting season is further discouraged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33153/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 40 of the Wildlife Act prohibits the cutting of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.
There is provision in the legislation for certain exemptions in respect of cutting vegetation in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry, for health and safety reasons, the destruction of noxious weeds and for cutting roadside hedges for road safety reasons.
A review of this legislation is ongoing.
Further, my Department advocates the avoidance of hedge cutting during the nesting season through its role as statutory consultee on development plans where the incorporation of such policies and objectives is recommended. My Department also funds the appointment of Biodiversity Officers in local authorities who help to integrate such policies into the authorities referenced.
