36 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the measures, if any, he is taking to protect wildlife habitats which are being destroyed by the drainage of wetlands, removal of hedgerows and burning of undergrowth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3216/96]

There is strict protection for wildlife habitats in areas owned or under the control of my Department e.g. national parks, nature reserves and refuges for fauna. In relation to private lands, section 18 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, provides the facility to draw up management agreements with land owners. This ensures that the land will be managed so as not to harm wildlife. Under section 39 of the Act it is an offence to burn vegetation growing within one mile of a wood which is not the property of such persons, or of a nature reserve or refuge for fauna. Under section 40 of the Act it is an offence to destroy, by burning or otherwise, between 15 April and 31 August vegetation growing on any land not being cultivated for agriculture or forestry.

Special protection areas — SPAs — designated under the Birds Directive provide for the protection of the habitats of bird species and for the prevention of excessive disturbance of the species in these areas. It is Government and EU policy to grant-aid only developments as are compatible with protecting the environment. The National Parks and Wildlife Service — NPWS — advises grant-aiding bodies as to whether or not particular developments are compatible with protecting the environment.