COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2015

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor M. Devine

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on An Taisce's proposals for Hedge cutting and gorse burning?

REPLY:

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht announced a public consultation process in late 2014 to review burning and cutting controls which are in place under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and invited submissions from stakeholders, interested parties and the general public under this process.  South Dublin County Council was invited to and made a submission on the matter.  It is expected that An Taisce also made a submission however it does not appear to be available to the public at the present time.  The closing date given for receipt of submissions was 9 January 2015, so the consultation process has now closed.  The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will now consider those submissions and conclude the review of the Section 40 provisions.  It will be for the Minister and not An Taisce to decide if any amending or new legislation is required following conclusion of the review.