Paul Murphy
Question:126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will remove all the threatened birds from the open season shooting list; and, if not, the reason therefor. [30004/23]
View answerWednesday, 21 June 2023
Questions (126)
Written answers
In response to concerns at the national and EU level on the status of Birds Directive Annex II bird species, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) recently conducted a public consultation on the Open Seasons Order. The public consultation will inform any review of the Open Seasons Order and the bird species listed on it. Consideration will also be given to the actions needed to improve the management of the Open Seasons Order, with a view to ensuring that hunting of these species is on a sustainable footing. Following recently reported declines in populations at the EU level, an EU Taskforce on the Recovery of Bird Species has been established to consider actions to reverse the decline in bird species, and to review the sustainability of their hunting in the Member States. The NPWS are engaging with this forum.
The results of the public consultation are currently being analysed and no decisions have been taken with regard to any potential changes in the Open Seasons Order.