COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

MOTION NO.7

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Area Committee requests signs be provided which advise against the taking of birds or interfering with any wildlife, to also highlight the dangers of this to people. Also if these could include information about birds and the advisable foods to feed them. There are groups that could be consulted re this Bray Swan Sanctuary, Birdwatch Ireland and Kildare Wildlife Rescue. 

REPORT:

The Parks and Open Space Bye-Laws 2011 have been developed and are in force to ensure that parks provided as a public amenity, are used by members of the public to the maximum extend in safety and comfort.

Section 4.2(a) of the bye-laws specifically deals with birds and reads as follows:

“No person shall take from the Park or destroy or injure or otherwise interfere with any bird, bird's nest or bird's eggs in the Park or ill-treat or worry any bird population.”

The bye-laws cover a multitude of areas and it would not be practicable to provide individual signs in parks that relate to each specific element of the bye-laws.  Instead, the Public Realm Section have a Park Ranger service that enforces the bye-laws during the course of their duties.

Signage is in place in parks around watercourses where birds are fed by members of the public.  The signage provides guidance on what to feed the birds and what not to feed the birds.