I propose to take Questions Nos. 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 728, 729, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743 and 744 together.
The information requested regarding documents provided to me in relation to the extension of the Wild Bird Declarations is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the new regulations and the draft is at an advanced stage. The current regulations, the European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976)(Amendment) Regulations, 1986, are both legally valid and operational. In accordance with Section 3A of the European Communities Act 1972, the new regulations will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible after they are made. As the new regulations are not intended to change the law, no consultation is required.
The results of the public consultation on the Wild Bird Declarations will be made available on the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website when analysis of the results has been completed.
The management and control of protected wild birds in Ireland is carried out under the Wildlife Acts 1976, through the licencing system that is available e.g. Section 42 and Section 22(9)(d).
Matters relating to prohibiting the feeding of wild birds; correctly disposing of rubbish on our streets to make them less attractive and to discourage them from congregating in particular areas; any warning signage or publicity campaigns in relation to same is a matter for the local authority concerned.
Details of key elements of the evidence base that were available to NPWS to inform the Wild Birds Declarations 2023-2024 are outlined below:
• Lewis, L. J., Coombes, D., Burke, B., O’Halloran, J., Walsh, A., Tierney, T. D. & Cummins, S. (2019) Countryside Bird Survey: Status and trends of common and widespread breeding birds 1998-2016. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 115. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland. www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM115.pdf
• Ireland’s latest submission under Article 12 of the Birds Directive covering the period 2013 – 2018. cdr.eionet.europa.eu/Converters/run_conversion?file=ie/eu/art12/envxztxxq/IE_birds_reports_20191031-130157.xml&conv=612&source=remote#A045-A_W
• Balmer, D.E., Gillings, S., Caffrey, B.J., Swann, R.L., Downie, I.S. and Fuller, R.J., 2013. Bird Atlas 2007-11: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. Thetford: BTO.
• Keogh, N. T. & Lauder, A. W. (2021) National Urban Gull Survey 2021: Technical Report. National Parks & Wildlife Service of Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/national_urban_gull_survey_project%20report.pdf
• Cummins, S., Lauder, C., Lauder, A. & Tierney, T. D. (2019) The Status of Ireland’s Breeding Seabirds: Birds Directive Article 12 Reporting 2013 – 2018. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 114. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland. www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM114.pdf.