Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
596. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the standard enforcement process undertaken by the national Parks and Wildlife service; the reason enforcement levels are so low in comparison to cases submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45814/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra597. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to tackle the high level of environmental incidents in north-eastern and mid-west regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45815/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
Combatting wildlife crime and environmental damage forms a core part of the work of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department in delivering on its mission to protect nature. My Department, through the NPWS, is committed to strengthening the protection of Ireland’s natural heritage and ensuring compliance with wildlife and nature conservation legislation across all regions of the country.
It is important to note that while reported wildlife crime incidents in the available data may be reported as an alleged wildlife crime, not all reports result in a finding that an offence has occurred. Each report of alleged wildlife crime is assessed on its own merits and investigated, where appropriate. The existence of a reported wildlife crime incident, does not, in itself, indicate that a breach of the Wildlife Acts, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, or other relevant wildlife (environmental) legislation has taken place.
Once a prosecution case is before the Courts, the process can take a number of months or years before a case is concluded. Each case may involve multiple defendants and summonses. Furthermore, it is at the discretion of the Judge as to whether a conviction is applied or whether the probation act is applied to offenders on their first offence. On occasion, restoration agreements are also put in place by the Court, and the case cannot conclude until such time as the agreements are fulfilled.
A dedicated NPWS Directorate for Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection leads on the development of policies and strategies relating to wildlife crime and enforcement. All alleged wildlife crime reports received by the NPWS are coordinated by this Directorate for investigation by authorised officers.
The enforcement work of NPWS staff across the organisation has seen an increase of 39% in prosecution cases taken from 2022 to 2023, with a total of 169 prosecution cases sent by the NPWS to the Chief State Solicitors office since 2019. 118 cases have been successfully closed since 2020.
The NPWS adopts a multi-faceted approach that combines enforcement activity with awareness raising, engagement and education initiatives, alongside cooperation with other State agencies.
The NPWS is committed to working with member organisations of the National Rural Safety Forum developed by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration as part of the Rural Safety Plan 2025-2207 to tackle threats posed by wildlife crime and liaises regularly with An Garda Síochána both in investigations and at a national level.
The NPWS continues to strengthen its enforcement capability through the recruitment of additional staff, including authorised officers (Conservation Rangers). This enhanced capacity is improving NPWS’s ability to monitor activities, investigate alleged wildlife crime reports, gather evidence and where appropriate support enforcement action.
Citizen engagement and reporting of alleged wildlife crime remain an important element in protecting biodiversity and assisting my Departments enforcement efforts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected breaches of wildlife and nature conservation legislation to the NPWS or An Garda Síochána.
